'Take Immediate Measures To Repatriate Victim To India': Calcutta High Court Directs Union In A Case Of Trafficking Of Girl From India To Bangladesh

The Calcutta High Court last week came to the aid of a victim girl who had been trafficked to Rangpur, Bangladesh by directing the Central government to immediately take concrete measures to ensure immediate repatriation of the victim to India.

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha further extended a request to the High Commissioner of Bangladesh is India to shift the victim girl from Sheikh Russel Child Training and Rehabilitation Centre, Rangpur, Bangladesh to any other secure location and ensure that the victim returns safely to India. The Court further impleaded the National Investigating Agency (NIA) as a respondent party in the instant proceedings. 

"This Court extends a request to the Hon'ble High Commissioner of Bangladesh is India to shift the victim girl from Sheikh Russel Child Training and Rehabilitation Centre, Rangpur, Bangladesh to any other secure location. The High Commissioner is also requested to kindly ensure that the victim girl returns to India", the Court observed.

The instant plea had been moved by the mother of the victim girl who had been trafficked to Rangpur, Bangladesh. The State police had consequently conducted a detailed investigation and had thereafter filed a charge sheet on September 21, 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.

The Court was also apprised that the State had put up the name of the victim girl in the National Status Verification report through the Immigration, Visa and Foreigner's Registration and Tracking online portal (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India).

The counsel appearing for the mother of the victim further submitted that the victim girl is in a pitiable condition and that her health is deteriorating with each passing day. It was also submitted that unless the victim girl is brought back to India, she may not survive at all.

The Bench was also informed that the procedure for rescue has already been initiated by the C.I.D., West Bengal.

Taking cognisance of the grievance raised, the Court directed the Inspector-inCharge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD, Nadia to hand over the report of investigation to the counsel appearing for the Union of India. Furthermore, the Union was directed to take immediate steps to ensure immediate repatriation of the victim to India.

"Let a copy of the report filed by the Inspector-inCharge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD, Nadia be handed over to Ms. Alam, counsel for the Union of India in course of the day. The Union of India shall indicate concrete measures and steps for immediate repatriation of the victim to India", the Court directed. 

Accordingly, the matter was listed for further hearing on December 14, 2021.

Case Title: Iti Pandit v. Union of India & Ors

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