Tripura High Court Initiates Suo Moto PIL On Child Trafficked To Rajasthan

The High Court of Tripura initiated a Suo Motu Public Interest litigation. A bench consisting of the Honorable Chief Justice Mr Akhil Khureshi and Honourable Mr Justice S. Talapatra commenced the Suo-motu PIL. The PIL is based on a news report stating that a minor girl was sold to a native of Rajasthan.

Brief Facts of the Case

“The tribune” newspaper, published on 16th June 2020 that a child was recently trafficked. According to the sources, the child is a native of Unakoti District, North Tripura. She is 14 years old and is married to a native from Rajasthan. Her family is undergoing wretched poverty and hence, sold her for 1, 50, 000 rupees. She is currently kept at a Women Shelter Home at Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.

This incident came to light only after the girl fled the man’s house, for which he filed a missing case at the Mandawa police station. After she was found by the police, she was unwilling to go back with her husband. Unfortunately the girl is also pregnant with a baby (two and half months) as a result of marriage.

Measures by the Rajasthan State Commission

The Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also directed the Child Welfare Committee to file an FIR against the girl’s ‘husband’ under the Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and anti-trafficking law.

For bringing back the girl to her native place and providing proper care and protection, the Court has joined with the government agencies. The Respondents in the case are: State of Tripura through the Home Department, the Tripura State Human Rights Commission, the Tripura State Legal Services Authority and the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TCPCR for short).

Observation of the Court

The Court Said:

“We can only imagine the current mental state of the girl. We request all respondents to contemplate and suggest appropriate ways to ensure the safety and security of the minor. Suggestions may be made on the next date of hearing as to how the girl can be brought back to Tripura at the earliest and how to ensure her safety and well-being.”

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