HC Seeks Govt Reply on Bids to Curb Exploitation of Girls in Orchestras

The Patna high court has issued a stern directive to the state government, demanding immediate action and a response within two weeks regarding measures to combat the trafficking and exploitation of minor girls in orchestra groups across the state.

- Subhash Pathak

PATNA:

According to a press note issued on Saturday by Just Rights for Children (JRC), which had filed a petition seeking the court's intervention in the matter, the bench, comprising acting chief justice Ashutosh Kumar and justice Partha Sarathi, labelled the trafficking of girls under 18 as a 'grave issue' and instructed the government to file an affidavit within two weeks outlining measures to regulate and monitor orchestra and dance groups.

The court's intervention follows alarming reports of widespread exploitation of minor girls in such groups, often trafficked and subjected to sexual abuse and harassment.