'Minor Girl Sold To A Family In Rajasthan': Tripura HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of News Report [Read Order]

The Tripura High Court has registered a Suo Motu Writ Petition taking cognizance of a news report that a minor girl aged about 14 years, native of North Tripura, Unakoti District, was sold to a family in Rajasthan due to abject poverty of her family.

The newspapers had reported that the minor girl was raped and carrying a pregnancy of about two and half months. 

The Court impleaded State of Tripura through the Home Department, the Tripura State Human Rights Commission, the Tripura State Legal Services Authority and the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TCPCR for short) as respondents.

"We can only imagine the current mental state of the girl. We would request all respondents to mull over and suggest appropriate ways to ensure the safety and security of the minor girl (whose identity is withheld to protect her against adverse publicity).", the bench comprising the Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and S. Talapatra said.

On 19th June, the Court considered the case again and perusing the records submitted to it by the state, noted that the girl is not only pregnant, but also recently tested positive for coronavirus. The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Tripura as well as the Government authorities would also take all necessary steps for ensuring the return of the girl as soon as she is cured of coronavirus and her quarantine period is over, the bench directed while adjourning the case to July first week.

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