Calcutta High Court Bench comprising Justice Rajasekhar Mantha has directed the Central government to immediately take concrete measures to ensure immediate repatriation of the victim girl to India who was trafficked to Rangpur, Bangladesh.
Background
The writ petitioner is the mother of a victim girl, who appeared to have been trafficked to Rangpur, Bangladesh. The State police had taken all necessary steps and conducted a detailed investigation.
The charge sheet had been filed on 21.09.2021 under Sections 363/365/120B/34 of the Indian Penal Code and 14F/14C of the Foreigners Act, 1946 against certain persons some of whom have been arrested.
Counsel for the petitioner submitted that her client’s daughter is in a pitiable condition and she was weakening day by day. Unless the daughter was brought back to India, she may not survive at all. It was also submitted that the procedure for rescue has already been initiated by the C.I.D., West Bengal.
Order of the Court
The Court appreciated the fact that the State has also put up the name of the victim girl in the National Status Verification report through the Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking online portal (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India).
The court directed the immediate repatriation of the victim girl by Central Government and said that,
"Let a copy of the report filed by the Inspector-in-Charge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD, Nadia be handed over to Ms. Alam, counsel for the Union of India in the course of the day. The Union of India shall indicate concrete measures and steps for the immediate repatriation of the victim to India."
In the meantime, this Court extended a request to the Hon’ble High Commissioner of Bangladesh in India to shift the victim girl from Sheikh Russel Child Training and Rehabilitation Centre, Rangpur, Bangladesh to any other secure location. The High Commissioner was also requested to kindly ensure that the victim girl returns to India.
The court on the prayer of the learned counsel for the petitioner added (NIA) National Investigation Agency as a party respondent to the instant proceeding.
Case Details
Case Title: Iti Pandit v. Union of India & Ors
Bench: Justice Rajasekhar Mantha
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