HYDERABAD: While looking at various options to ensure a secure future for Pratyusha, the 19-year-old who was rescued from the clutches of her stepmother and monster father on July 8, the Hyderabad High Court on Monday directed the AP government to bring to its notice any such incidents in the State for necessary action.
A division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale and Justice SV Bhatt, which took cognizance of Pratyusha’s plight based on a letter from Justice Challa Kodanda Ram following a report published in these columns on July 9, has impleaded the AP government as one of the parties to this case and instructed the state advocate general to inform the court of similar incidents in AP by the next date of hearing.
“Most of the parents have been showing discrimination towards the girl child. Most of the girls are leaving their houses due to this discrimination and joining hostels, but they could not even continue in the hostels due to inadequate and unhygienic conditions”, the bench observed.
In reply, AP advocate general P Venugopal said he would get the information sought by the court and urged the court to grant some time.
As for Pratyusha case, special government pleader of Telangana state S Sharath Kumar told the bench that the girl will take a few more days to recover in hospital. He informed the court of the visit paid by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to the hospital and his assurance on her rehabilitation.
The bench felt there was a need to extend assistance to similarly placed girl victims in the society. “We have seen some of the news reports related to the visit of the chief minister and his assurances given to her. If those reports are true, we got answers for all our concerns about her future”, the bench said. The counsel confirmed the news reports and said the victim desired to take a nursing course, but pointed out that it was not possible as of now as she was yet to complete her intermediate.
While posting the matter to July 27 for further hearing, the bench made it clear that the girl could be brought before it only after her discharge from the hospital. Meanwhile, Abhaya, a NGO, moved the court submitting that it will take care of Pratyusha.