Bombay HC Orders Inquiry Into 2012 New Year’s Eve Party With Alcohol, Dancers At Mankhurd Shelter Home For Mentally Deficient Children
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday rapped the State for failing to take action against “delinquent” officers allegedly responsible for organising a new year eve party in 2012 with alcohol and women dancers in a shelter home for mentally deficient children in suburban Mankhurd.
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne expressed shock that while an inquiry was conducted at the time, no action followed. “You should be ashamed of your officers and yourself if no action is taken and if you say in this court that you will need to check what has happened in the matter… Is this how you conduct such sensitive matters?” the Chief Justice asked the government counsel, who sought time to verify whether any action had been taken.
“This is a PIL which involves public interest and you are unaware of any action taken or not,” the Chief Justice added.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2014 by social activist Sangeeta Punekar highlighting the incident that allegedly occurred on December 31, 2012. The PIL also raised broader concerns about conditions in the 100% state-aided home, which at the time housed 265 inmates and was run by the Children’s Aid Society (CAS).
According to the PIL, a party was organised by a donor where alcohol was served and money was showered on women dancers in the presence of 26 mentally challenged girls and shelter home officials. The matter came to light only 11 months later through a letter by some staffers to the CAS Governing Council. According to a news report, champagne was popped, cash was showered on bar dancers, and alcohol was served at the party on December 31, 2012.
The plea also referred to a separate 2014 incident where two mentally challenged girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by staff at the same shelter.
The court noted in its order, “We are surprised to note that despite the inquiry being conducted in the alleged incident, till today no action has been taken against the delinquents. The counsel for the respondent was unable to point out that any action was taken against the delinquent. No useful purpose will be served by keeping the petition pending.”
Adding that “no action has been taken till today” despite a previous inquiry by the Chairman of the Child Welfare Committee and the Women and Child Welfare Department, the court directed the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to conduct a fresh inquiry into the 2012 incident.
The court ordered that the inquiry be completed within six weeks and the report submitted to the state government for appropriate action and punishment against the delinquent officials. A compliance report would have to be submitted in three months to the court. “Timely action should be taken in such matters,” the Chief Justice emphasised.
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