'Can't dilute issue or protect wrongdoers': Bombay HC orders probe into 2012 New Year's Eve 'party' at Mankhurd children's home

Bombay HCThe court ordered the Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities to initiate an inquiry into the alleged incident within six weeks and forward the findings to the Maharashtra government Observing that the authorities cannot protect wrongdoers or keep an issue pending for a decade, the Bombay High Court on Monday ordered a probe into an alleged party hosted on New Year's Eve in 2012 at a home for mentally deficient children (MDC) in suburban Mumbai's Mankhurd, consisting of 265 inmates.

- GNS News Agency

The court ordered the Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities to initiate an inquiry into the alleged incident within six weeks and forward the findings to the Maharashtra government which shall take appropriate action against the errant people within three months. The bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2014 by activist Sangeeta Punekar, which had highlighted the “shocking state of affairs”, citing news reports of an alleged party hosted by donors at the MDC homes. 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.