Cal HC seeks affidavit in action taken by WB state in Salkia children home trafficking case

On Tuesday, a division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice Kesang Doma Bhutia of Calcutta High Court asked the state what steps the police-administration had taken in a child trafficking at private child centre at Salkia, Howrah.

In November last year, a private home was accused of sexually abusing and trafficking children in Salkia, Howrah. During the investigation, the police came to know that the owner of the home was Geetashree, the daughter-in-law of Minti Adhikari, a former deputy mayor of Howrah. Police arrested 10 people in that incident. Among them was Geetashree and her husband.

Ramaprasad Sarkar, the petitioner approached the High Court, fearing that the investigation would lose momentum due to its influential involvement in the incident. As a result, an impartial investigation cannot be expected from the police in this case.

Sarkar has given the details of the alleged child trafficking racket which is busted in Salkia, Howrah on 20th November, 2021 and has also raised the grievance that no proper action has been taken in respect thereof and a prayer has been made to take appropriate measures so that such incidents may not take place in future.

Per contra, Advocate General S.N. Mookherjee appearing for the State has informed that a case has been registered on 20th November, 2021 under the provisions of IPC, POCSO and Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act. He has also informed that the statement of the victim and mother along with three witnesses have been recorded under section 164 of Cr.P.C. and some arrests have also been made. He has prayed for time to file an appropriate affidavit disclosing the relevant details.

The Court allowed the time and also directed the state to disclose in that affidavit the measures which can be taken to avoid such incidents in future.

The matter is listed on 28th February, 2022.

Ramaprasad Sarkar v. State of West Bengal & Ors.