NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to come out with an action plan to check the trafficking of girls for sexual exploitation, their rescue and rehabilitation after holding discussions with all the states.
The court asked the Centre to discuss the report of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation at the meeting. Justice A R Dave issued the direction after hearing senior counsel Dushyant Dave, who sought urgent direction to the authorities, saying the problem is grave. Dave was representing NGO Prajwala, which moved the court against the trafficking of girls for commercial sexual exploitation. It also directed the Centre to place before it the minutes of the meeting and file an affidavit within three weeks after the September 3 meeting elaborating the steps to be taken by it on NALSA recommendations.
Jains Challenge HC
A Jain body on Tuesday approached the SC challenging Rajasthan High Court order which had termed ‘santhara’, a religious ritual of fasting until death, illegal. Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, in its petition, sought a stay on the HC judgment, claiming it was passed without appreciating the basic philosophy and tenets of Jain religion. The HiC had on August 10 held ‘santhara’ as illegal making it punishable under Section 306 and 309 of IPC related to abetment of suicide.
Ansals Face Jail
The SC on Tuesday modified its order on the Ansal brothers accused in Uphaar case, holding that the duo will have to undergo two-years’ rigorous imprisonment if they failed to pay `30 crore each within three months.