BHULU MIA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal against convictions under Sections 3 (1), 3 (2) (a) 3 (2) (b), 7 (2) (a) and 7 (2) (b) of the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956. Appellant was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for one year under Section 3 (1) of the Act. No separate sentence was passed on other heads of charges.

(2.) The prosecution case is as follows: On June 14, 1960, A.K. Gupta, Assistant Commissioner of Police acting on a prior information raided premises No. 149, Masjidbari Street, Calcutta, and arrested the appellant and three others, Radhika, Sakina and Mira. A case under Section 366-A of the Indian Penal Code was then started against Radhika. On October 12, 1960, the said Assistant Commissioner of Police submitted a written complaint in terms of which a formal first information report was drawn up against this appellant, Sakina Bibi and Mira Shaw alias Mahboob, the last two were discharged by the Magistrate on police report during investigations. It is alleged that appellant acted as manager of a brothel at 149, Masjidbari Street, in relation to the four girls rescued in the police raid. The learned Magistrate accepted the prosecution version of the story and convicted the appellant.

(3.) The defence is a plea of innocence and a denial that the premises was brothel or that he was manager.