Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 24: Expressing deep concern over sexual exploitation of mentally challenged girls in a home run by Rotary Inner Wheel at Channi Rama, Division Bench of High Court comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey today arrayed Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department, Inspector General Police, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Director Social Welfare, SSP Jammu and President Rotary Inner Wheels as party respondents.
The DB expressed serious concern over the unfortunate incident after going through a letter written by visually impaired practicing lawyer namely Suraj Singh seeking monitoring of investigation of FIR No 183/2013 of Police Station Trikuta Nagar (infamous sexual exploitation of mentally challenged girls at Rotary Inner Wheels Home at Channi Rama).
At the very outset, the Division Bench allowed CMA No 785/2013 filed by the petitioner whereby he had placed on record additional documents as per the directions of the High Court dated September 9, 2013.
After hearing petitioner in person and Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed for the PIL and Senior Additional Advocate General Gagan Basotra appearing for the State, DB, in the open court, arrayed Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department, Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Director Social Welfare Jammu, SSP Jammu and President Rotary Inner Wheels as party respondents.
The DB also issued notices to these respondents which were accepted by Senior AAG Gagan Basotra and the Registry was directed to serve the notice upon the President Rotary Inner Wheels returnable within 2 weeks.
Division Bench also directed the SSP Jammu to file complete status report of the investigation carried out so far and also the future course of action adopted for the investigation. The Division Bench also directed the personal appearance of Director Social Welfare Jammu and SSP Jammu on the next date of hearing.
The DB further directed the Deputy Commissioner Jammu to file his personal affidavit indicating the action taken against the management of Rotary Inner Wheels, Channi Rama.
After referring two judgments of the Apex Court titled “Delhi Domestic Working Women’s Forum Vs Union of India” wherein Supreme Court heard the petition of innocent tribal girls who had been raped by Army Jawans in a moving train and judgment titled Chairman Railway Board and Ors vs Chandrima Dass wherein Apex Court granted Rs 10 lakh compensation to a Bangladeshi National who had been subjected to Gang Rape by four employees of Western Railways at Howrah Railway Station’, the DB treated the instant letter written by Advocate Suraj Singh as Public Interest Litigation.
During the course of arguments, Advocate SS Ahmed drew the attention of the DB to Paras 16 & 17 of the application wherein the petitioner has sought the enlargement of the scope of the petition and raised vital questions for and authoritative pronouncement on this subject.
He further pointed out that the victims are still lodged in the same home and they are required to be shifted or the management of the house should be taken over by the Social Welfare Department. On this, Division Bench asked Senior AAG Gagan Basotra to have instructions from the concerned functionaries so that effective directions can be issued on the next date of hearing.
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