Gaighat Shelter Home Case Investigation Will Be Completed Within 4 Weeks: Bihar Govt Tells Patna High Court

During the hearing, Advocate General Lalit Kishor, appearing for the state government, stated before the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S Kumar that,

"Within next four weeks, the investigation would be completed and status report filed through the affidavit of Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna."

In the last hearing, the court had directed the DSP rank woman police officer investigating the case to wind up the same within 4 weeks and submit the investigation report before the court.

Importantly, observing that the victims must be provided with legal aid, the Court had directed the Member Secretary, Bihar State Legal Services Authority to ensure that proper legal aid is provided to these victims, notwithstanding the fact that in this regard they are being supported by an NGO.

The court had also asked all the concerned departments, including the Social Welfare Department of the state, to bring on record their respective affidavits, which should also include the statement made by the victim on February 4, 2022.

High Court had taken a suo moto cognizance of the incident, wherein an inmate of the shelter home had alleged that women inmates were forced to submit themselves to "immoral acts" after being sedated. Another shocking disclosure was made that strangers are permitted to masquerade as relatives of the victims who come and pick up such hapless women to put their lives and dignity in further peril.

On February 3, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjoy Karol and Justice S. Kumar had taken a suo moto cognizance of this matter, on the basis of recommendation made by the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Committee of the High Court, and had sought the reply of Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Bihar.

The Advocate General of the State Government told the court that an FIR has been lodged on behalf of both the victims in the Mahila Police Station. However, doubts were raised on the victim, stating that she had left the care home in the month of August 2021, but she is making allegations for the first time in January 2022.

Advocate Meenu Kumari appeared for the petitioner and Advocate General Lalit Kishor appeared for the State Government.

Case Title : In the matter of newspaper report dated 01.02.2022 relating to after Care Home v. The State of Bihar & Ors.

Coram: Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S Kumar

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