ALLAN JOHN WATERS Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appeals No. 476 and 681 of 2006 are filed by the accused persons against their convictions, whereas Appeal No. 603 of 2006 is filed by the State for enhancement of the sentence of the accused persons.

(2.) There were three accused. Two of them faced trial. They were tried for offences under Sections 372, 373, 377, 323 read with Sections 109 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. They were also tried under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. These cases were filed against the accused persons in unusual circumstances. A Criminal Writ Petition was suo motu entertained by the High Court, being Writ Petition No. 585 of 1985. Ms. Maharukh Adenwalla was appointed amicus curiae in this Writ Petition and also in another Criminal Writ Petition. She had also been appointed amicus curiae in Criminal Writ Petition No. 1107 of 1996 by this Court.

(3.) It appears that in the year 1985, a girl had been brought from Gujarat to Mumbai as a maid servant. A news item appeared that this girl was being sexually exploited. The High Court took notice of the matter, and a Writ Petition was entertained, being Writ Petition No. 585 of 1985.