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On Friday, the Bombay High Court sought reply from the Maharashtra government on a PIL that pertained to the plight of girl students from a village in Satara who themselves have to daily row a boat across the Koyna Dam to reach their school 4 km away.

Previously, on Jan, 31st a division bench of Justices PB Varale and AS Kilor had took suo motu cognizance of the adventurous journey which young girls in a Maharashtra village had to undertake to reach their schools.

The Court had come across a news-item on a news portal – MumbaiTak, as reported by Imtiyaz Mujawar on January 26, referring to the daily routine of girl children wherein the girl students had to undertake a journey by boat to reach the school.

Bench had observed that, “The laudable object of the moto ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ can be achieved only by providing a safe passage and a friendly atmosphere and environment for the girl children by the State.” 

The news item mentioned the following scenarios –

• Shocking reality that a small boat was being plied by the girl students themselves.
• They are supposed to take up the journey in a boat to cross from one end of Koyna Dam to other end firstly and thereafter, from the other end undertake a nearly 4-km long journey through dense forests.
• The area is inhabited by wild animals including bear, tiger etc.
• Though certain schools in the State were closed due to the pandemic situation, the students of Khirvandi village are attending the school by taking this daily routine.

Considering the situation reflected in the news item, the bench stated that on the one hand the adversities being faced by the girl children, and on the other hand, there is courage, will, and strong determination of these students to pursue an academic career.

“Needless to state that the State Government can take all measures to provide necessary assistance to the children of Khirvandi village of Javali Tq of District Satara,” noted the bench.

Finally, the bench had directed the Registry to place the matter for further orders / directions before the appropriate bench as per roster assignment.

[Cause Title: High Court in it’s own motion]