Nagpur: In a significant move, the Nagpur Bench of Mumbai High Court has given a verdict in which the raid undertaken by the Police officials on the red-light area (Ganga Jamuna) in Nagpur as appropriate.
The verdict was given during the hearing of a case filed by the residents of the area. Around 177 residents of Ganga Jamuna had filed a case against the raids undertaken by the police officials. The case had come-up for hearing in the Division Bench consisting of Justice Vasanti Naik and Justice A I S Cheema. While dismissing the case, the Court gave a verdict which claimed that the raid by the police officials as valid and the cops were also given directives for future raids. The Judges said that the police officials can carry out raids on the red-light area but had directed them to remain within the parameters of the law. The Court added that the action should be undertaken under Indian Penal Code, Indian Trafficking Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The Police Officials of Lakhadganj Police Station had submitted an affidavit on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in the court. This affidavit had details of the reasons that led to the raid on red light area.
The Ganga Jamuna Vaishyavrati Hatao Samiti (Ganga Jamuna Commercial Sex Workers Removal Committee) who had been intervening in this matter welcomed the move. Advocate Bharti Dangre represented the police in the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhinash Kumar when contacted by Nagpur Today, refused to comment on the judgment and claimed that till he gets a copy of the verdict, he will not be able to comment on the verdict of the High Court.
President of Nagpur Bar Association Advocate Prakash Jaiswal while speaking to Nagpur Today clarified that in India, according to the PITA – Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act if a sexual act is committed in exchange of finance or money, it is illegal. He went on to say that most of the criminals had established gangs operating from the Nagpur’s Red Light area Ganga Jamuna area. He claimed that most of the leading gangs had one time or the other operated from Ganga Jamuna area. These goons had used the area as safe haven for their activities. He also claimed that these goons had made many women or girls their ‘Keep’ (Rakhel). So in order to ensure a crime free area, it is right for the police officials to raid the area to maintain law and order.
While speaking to Nagpur Today, some of the Commercial Sex Workers claimed that it is great injustice committed towards them in terms. They claimed that the esteemed and honourable Court should have considered the rehabilitation of the Commercial Sex Workers before delivering their verdict.
Advocate Prakash Jaiswal claimed that the State Government should ensure that the Department of Women and Child Welfare and Social Welfare Department should start taking efforts in rehabilitating the Commercial Sex Workers so that they too can earn an honourable livelihood through some legitimate career or business. He added that the PITA has provisions in which the young children of the commercial sex workers can be separated and they get education.
