SMRUTI TUKARAM BADADE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, shall stand impleaded.

(2.) The judgment of this Court casts the responsibility of coordinating with Ms Justice Gita Mittal, Chairperson of the Committee appointed by this Court, on the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has been nominated as a coordinating Ministry having due regard to the fact that the issue pertaining to vulnerable witnesses directly concerns the plight of women and children who are in the position of vulnerable witnesses. Hence, the Ministry of Women and Child Development shall continue to coordinate all activities in consultation with the Chairperson of the Committee appointed by this Court. If any coordination with the Department of Justice is required, the Additional Solicitor General shall ensure that facilitative assistance in that regard is made available to the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

(3.) The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee dated 28 March 2022 have been forwarded to the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, on 20 April 2022 by the Coordinator of the Committee. Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor General shall ensure due follow up in that regard.