Delhi High Court Urges Child Welfare Committee to Decide on Rehabilitation of 17-Year-Old Trafficked Girl

The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Child Welfare Committee to make a decision on the rehabilitation of a 17-year-old girl from Jharkhand who has been living in a Delhi shelter home since August 1. The girl's mother had approached the court seeking custody of her daughter.

Alleging that the girl was taken to Delhi for domestic work without her knowledge or consent.

According to the mother's allegations, the girl was taken to Delhi by a woman she knew, with the girl's parents' consent. However, a Delhi Police status report contradicts this account.

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Officials stated that the girl arrived in Delhi around July 10 with the woman and had come with her parents' consent. The report also questions why the CWC had cited no reason for the girl's continued custody.

The girl, who is from the Chota Nagpur region, had been living in Delhi for the past 15 days, searching for her daughter. Her mother had repeatedly attempted to secure her custody, but to no avail. The girl's situation has sparked concern among local residents, who have been searching for her.

The Delhi Police status report provides a different account of the girl's arrival in Delhi. It states that the girl arrived around July 10 with a woman she knew and had come with her parents' consent. The report also raises questions about the CWC's decision-making process.

Deeba Naseem, chairperson of the Delhi CWC, has stated that the HC order will be complied with. However, she expressed uncertainty about the matter, stating that she had no information on the girl's situation.

The High Court's October 1 order directs the CWC to expedite a decision on the girl's welfare. Rehabilitation, and social re-integration within a 10-day timeframe. The court also emphasized the importance of taking a decision "within a period of 10 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order".

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The girl's mother has alleged that officials of the CWC questioned her about not approaching the police. The girl's mother had also expressed concern about her daughter's well-being and safety.

Advocate Abhiram Venugopal, who is representing the woman, has reiterated the girl's claims, citing a report by a Jharkhand-based social outfit on September 2. The report highlights the girl's situation and the need for her rehabilitation and social re-integration.

The investigation into the girl's case is ongoing. With the Delhi Police and Child Welfare Committee working together to ensure her safety and well-being. The High Court's directive has sparked hope for the girl's rehabilitation and social re-integration.