...... CIVIL LIBERTIES 47 victims, or to ensure that the few rescued young women are properly released in care of suitable guardians.” 4.96 The visit report pointing out the concerns of the Commission was sent to the concerned authorities for taking necessary actions. Following the observations of the Hon’ble Member, the Rescue Officer was transferred by the State Government and an investigation against him was ordered. The Commission has also been considering the reports of monthly Inspection of the Home carried out by the District Judge, Agra, as per the directions of the Supreme Court. As per the reports of the District Judge, some of the shortcomings pointed during the visit of the Hon’ble Member were rectified. However, in view of the fact that the performance of the District Probation Officer and the Rescue Officer in organizing raids and taking action against the traffickers and keepers of brothels had been consistently poor for the past 3 years, it was felt by the Commission that the issue required to be taken up with the concerned authorities. The Commission, therefore, invited the Director (Women’s Welfare), Government of Uttar Pradesh to come to the Commission for a discussion alongwith the Superintendent of the Home and the District Probation Officer, Agra. 4.97 The Director, Women’s Welfare, Government of UP and the officials of the Home attended a meeting organized in the Commission on 20-01-2004. The following issues were discussed:
Under-utilization of the Home: Average occupancy of the Home has been 20 against a total strength of 75 inmates; At times this has fallen to 6 or 7 as in September, 2003.
Performance of the Investigator and the Rescue Officer in the light of the monthly inspection reports from the District Judge, Agra;
Nomination of Special Police Officers under the ITP Act;
Constitution of the Board of Visitors for the Home; and
Effective Enforcement of ITP Act. 4.98 Hon’ble Member Justice Sujata V. Manohar who chaired the meeting, said that the effective enforcement of the ITP Act has been the main concern of the Commission particularly as part of the purposeful functioning of the Home. She requested the Director (Women’s Welfare) to take pro-active steps in Agra and elsewhere in the State. The Director was requested to discuss the matter for effective co-operation between the concerned wings of the administration for effective implementation of the ITP Act, with the District Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate and prepare an Action Plan for implementation of the Act in law and spirit. The Hon’ble Member stressed that unless stringent action is taken against traffickers and brothel keepers, the evil cannot be rooted out. The Director was asked to prepare an Action Plan within a given time frame and to send it to the Commission. ANNUAL REPORT 2003-04