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In the suo moto case pertaining to allegations of sexual exploitation of women in a shelter home at Gai Ghat, Patna, the state government has informed the Patna High Court that the investigation is under progress and for the time being these cases shall be investigated by a female officer, not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. 

The state has filed an affidavit in this regard before the bench of Chief Justice Sanjoy Karol and Justice S. Kumar. The Court has now asked the State to file another affidavit indicating the progress of the investigation by February 21.

The court has also directed the Member Secretary, Bihar State Legal Services Authority to ensure that proper legal laid is provided to the victims notwithstanding the fact that in this regard they are being supported by an NGO.

On the recommendation of its Juvenile Justice Monitoring Committee (JJMC), the Patna High Court on February 2, the High Court had taken suo moto cognizance in this matter.

The Court had then directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Bihar to file his reply in the matter.

However, the Court had refrained from issuing any directions at that stage and had asked the Bihar Government to examine the matter and to file the action taken report on the next date of hearing. The instant affidavit has been filed in pursuance of the same.

The case roots to one newspaper report published on January 31, wherein one of the inmates of the Uttar Raksha Grih (After Care Home), Gai Ghat, Patna leveled serious allegations pertaining to the management of the shelter home. This shelter home as of now allegedly houses 260 female inmates against the sanctioned strength of 148.

The victim woman had alleged that she and others were forced to submit themselves to “immoral acts” after being sedated. She had also allegedly reported that the victims residing in the After Care Home are not provided with basic amenities of food and bedding and are not even permitted to leave the Home.

She had made another shocking disclosure that strangers are permitted to masquerade as inmates' relatives who come and pick up hapless women to put their lives and dignity in further peril.

When this report reached the JJMC, taking serious note of the same the committee had urged the Court to step in. 

Cause Title: In the matter of newspaper report dated 01.02.2022 relating to after Care Home vs The State of Bihar & Ors.