RAVINA BHRITHARI KANJAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard.

(2.) On the last two occasions, we had taken up for consideration the application as well as the writ petition filed by two girls namely, Ravina and Pooja who are presently lodged in Karuna Mahila Vastigruha after they having been rescued from red light area some time in the year 2017. These girls, having turned major had made fervent plea before this Court for releasing them and restoring their liberty. They have intense desire to join the company of their parents at their native places. We had examined the issue within the frame work of law and accordingly passed two orders, first on 03.12.2020 and the second on 09.12.2020. In the order passed on 09.12.2020, we had expressed our opinion that both these girls were eligible for their being released and set free. But, at the same time, we felt concern about their future and apprehended that once released, it should not happen that these girls are again pushed back into the dark world of the red light area. We had, therefore, requested the NGO, freedom firm which has filed the Criminal PIL No.4 of 2013 to explore the possibility of providing the attractive employment to both these girls. We had also granted permission to the representative of the NGO to meet the girls, interact with them and if necessary counsel them in order to persuade them into accepting the employment that might be offered by the NGO and make a new beginning in their life. NGO and its representative strove hard to persuade the girls into the society thinking to be the better side of the society but, in vain. The girls strongly refused to accept the new opportunities being provided to them. This was reported to us by the NGO.

(3.) With the able assistance of all the learned counsel and the learned APP, we deliberated over the issue, discussed the problem of the girls and thought that another round of counseling this time through the senior lady Judicial Officer of this Court can be made and therefore, we directed production of the girls before Ms. Anju Shende, learned Registrar of this Court. Accordingly, the girls were produced before her. They had a good deal of the interaction with the learned Registrar, learned Registrar, who also tried her best to convince the girls of benefits of accepting new opportunities in the nature of the handsome jobs or services. But, even learned Registrar failed in her attempt. She has now submitted to us detailed report which reflects the efforts taken by her and the unfortunate result thereof.