NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has expressed concern over how some children are pushed into prostitution after they were handed over to their parents and has ordered an inquiry into family background of 18 minor girls, rescued in Janaury from brothels in Maharashtra’s Nandurbar.
The court’s order came on a plea filed by an non-governmental organisation (NGO) which alleged that in some cases, parents are the ones responsible for trafficking and selling minor girls to unknown persons.
A bench headed by justice J Chelameshwar had sought a report from the Maharashtra home secretary, who has been directed to examine the matter personally and file an affidavit indicating the stand of the state regarding the quality of probe and their intent to stop cross-border human trafficking for illicit flesh trade.
The court said it was necessary to do a background check of all the parents/guardians who received the custody of girls rescued from the brothels in January.
“The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Aurangabad, is directed to enquire from the minor girls about the particulars of their family, their place of residence and whether they are residing with their parents, etc. and submit a report to this court on or before October 23,” the bench said while slating the hearing for November 14.