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The victim was initially brought to Kolkata and later taken to Pune, where the woman sold her for Rs 30,000. While the victim was being transported, she cried out for help, attracting a crowd that eventually took her to the police station
The Bombay High Court has recently granted bail to a woman who had been imprisoned for six years for trafficking a 22-year-old from Bangladesh.
A single judge bench of Justice SV Kotval heard the bail application filed by the woman, who had lured the victim with a job opportunity in India before forcing her into prostitution.
The victim was initially brought to Kolkata and later taken to Pune, where the woman sold her for Rs 30,000. While the victim was being transported, she cried out for help, attracting a crowd that eventually took her to the police station.
The woman had previously approached the high court in 2020 seeking bail, but her application was withdrawn.
She approached the high court again in 2023, stating that more than three years had passed with no progress in the trial apart from the framing of charges. She highlighted that it had been six years since her arrest.
The Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the bail, arguing that the offence was extremely serious. Instead of granting bail, the prosecutor suggested that the trial be expedited for a swift resolution.
The bench in its order noted that it will be difficult for the victim to depose before the trial court as she is in Bangladesh.
The high court in its order recorded that, “There is no doubt that the offence is extremely serious, but the fact that the trial is not likely to conclude soon, cannot be overlooked. The other two accused are already released on bail. The passport of the Applicant is deposited with the investigating agency,” the order reads
Case title: Sanjana Biren Panikar vs State of Maharashtra.
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