Dr. Upendra Baxi And Others Vs. State of U.P. And Others
EmailAppeal: Writ Petition No. (CRL) 1900 of 1981.
Petitioner: Dr. Upendra Baxi And Others
Respondent: State of U.P. And Others
Apeal: Writ Petition No. (CRL) 1900 of 1981.
Judges: P.N. BHAGWATI C.J., KHALID & G.L. OZA JJ.
Date of Judgment: Jul 23, 1986
Head Note:
Writs – Subversion of authority of Supreme Court by erring officials without adequate expression of regret – Supreme Court may have to consider adopting appropriate proceedings against officials concerned – Government protective home at Agra – Various orders issued by Supreme Court from time to time to improve conditions of living of inmates – Shifting without permission of the court of the home to a new building inferior from the point of view of security, safety and other facilities in comparison to the old building – surrender of the old building to the landlord despite dismissal of appeal by High Court of the landlord’s case for eviction of the premises – Consequential directions and orders to ensure safety, security and well-being of inmates pending hearing of the petition at a later date – writs, Con-stitution of India.
The Supreme Court passed various orders from time to time with a view to improving the living conditions of the girls in the Protective Home and ensuring a decent and healthy standard of living for them. The accommodation in the premises in Vijaya Nagar Colony had been made fairly satisfactory by the State Government pursuant to the orders made by the Supreme Court from time to time and the conditions had considerably improved. The State Government without informing/obtaining permission of the Supreme Court surrendered possession of the premises in Vijayanagar Colony to the landlord despite his case for evic-tion having been dismissed by High Court and shifted the Pro-tective Home to new premises in Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara. The inspection Reports of the Additional District Judge clearly brought out how the new building was not suitable for keeping of inmates from the point of view of their safety, security and well being. Treating the letter written to it by the petitioner as a writ petition, the Supreme Court held that nothing could be done about the shifting in as much as possession of the old building has already been surrendered to the landlord and the best that could be done was to issue directions to improve the well being of inmates. The Commissioner, Agra, was directed to file an affidavit stating why the possession of the old build-ing was handed over to the landlord in spite of the landlord having lost his case for eviction of the premises before the Allahabad High Court and whether he had inspected the new building before effecting the shifting. The Commissioner was also directed to produce the correspondent between him and the landlord relating to the decision to surrender possession of old building and accept the new building. The court issued a number of other directions, pending hearing of the petition on 29th September, 1986, such directions being addressed to the State Government, District Manager, Telephones, Superintendent of the Protective Home, District Judge and Commissioner, Agra Division aimed improving the well-being , safety and security of the inmates.
JUDGEMENT:
BHAGWATI C.J.:
The writ petition has come up for hearing in view of certain developments which have taken place since the making of our last Order. It was on the basis of a letter addressed by the petitioners that this writ petition cme to be entertained by the Court. The petitioners pointed out in the letter which was treated as awrit petition that the conditions in which girls were living in the Government Protective Home atr Agra were abominable and they were being denied their right to live with basic human dignity by the State of Uttar Pradesh which was running the Protective Home. The Court thereupon made various orders from time to time with z view to improving the living conditions of the girls in the Protective Home and ensuring a decent and healthy standard of living for them. The Court also asked the District Judge to make periodic inspection of the Protective Home with a view to monitoring full and effective implementation of various orders made by the Court from time to time. The District Judge himself for an Additional District Judge nominated by him, inspected tthe Protective Home form time to time and submitted Inspedction Reports which came up for consideration before the Court on various occasions. It appears that the efforts made by the pertitioners aided by Dr.R.S. Sodhi Honorary General Secretary, Asswociation for Social Health in India, were nearing successful conclusion when everything which had been done by the Court order to improve the living conditions of the inmates of the Protective Home was set at naught by the State Government by shifting the Protective Home from its location in Vijayanagar colony to Adarsh Nagar Rajwara.
The accommodation in the premises in Vijayanagar colony had been made fairly satisfactory by the State Government pursuant to the Orders made by the Court from time to time and living conditions had considerably improved. But sometime in March, 1984 Dr.R.S.Sodhi who lived in Agra (he died sometime back) came to know that the State Government was contemplating shifting of the Protective Home from the Vijayanagar colony to another locality. Immediately, on coming to know of this contemplated move on behalf of the State Government, Dr. R.S. Sodhi in a letter dated 14th March, 1984 addressed to the District Judge, Agra pointed out that since the matter was pending in the Court, the Protective Home sholud not be shifted without theb permosion of the Court and the District Judge also in his Inspection Report dated 15th March, 1984 drew attention to this fact. The District Judge in his Inspection Report dated 11th May, 1984 once again pointed out that he had already made clear that “in case the Government wants to shift the Government Protctive Home to any othet building, the contention of Dr. Sodhi that permission of the Honoourable Supreme Court is mandatory, may be considered serously before taking any steps in this regard. The District Judge reiterated in his Inspection Report dated 5th January, 1985 that since the writ petition concerning the welfare of the inmates and smooth running of the Protective Home is pending before the Honourable Supreme Court and and the shifting of the Home to new building is concerned with this subject, hence it will be advisable for the Administration and the Government to seek prior approval of the Honourable Supreme Courtbefore shifting the Home to the new building. It seems , however, that no sterps were taken by the State Gov-ernment or the Administration to obtain the permission of the Court for shifting the Protective Home to another building and without obtaining such permission the State Government, sometime in the middle of 1985, surrendered possession of the premises in Vijayanagar colony to the landlord shifted the Protective Home to new premises in Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara. It may be pointed out that the landlord had filed a suit against the State Government for eviction from the premises in Vijayanagar colony but the suit was ultimately dismissed and the dismissal was upheld by the High Court of Allahabad. There was, therefore, no pressure on the State Government to vacate the premises in Vijayanagar colony. Yet, the State Government surrendered possession of the premises to the lanlord accepted from him tenacy of the premises in Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara. Perturbed by this action on the part of the State Government, Dr. R.S.Sodhi addressed a letter dated 17th June, 1985 to the District Judge drawing his attention to the shifting of the Protective Home to the new premises without the permission of this Court and on the basis of this letter, the District Judge instructed the Additional District Judge to visit the new premis-es and to submit a report in regard to the comparatiave facili-ties of security, toilet and other amenities available in the new premises as compared to the old premises. The Additional Distirct Judge after visiting the new premises submitted a Report dated 17th July, 1985 in which he pointed out the following facts:
“In the previous building situated at Vijaya Nagar Colony in which the Government Protective Home was situated had 4 flush latrines and 4 bathrooms constructed on the directions given by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Besides, there was separate resi-dence for Superintendent, Government Protective Home and one room measuring 22′ X 15′ half of which was used for the office and other half used for hold classes for the inmates Behind this hall there were two big verandas each measuring 21′ X 12′ and 18′ X 12′ which were used for the purpose of bedrooms for inmates after putting up 3 curtains as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Two rooms measuring 13′ X 13′ wre used for sewing classes and for indoor games. Three underground cellers were used as store-rooms for miscellaneous purposes. There was one kitchen measuring about 15′ X 15′ in one corner. In addi-tion to this there was a big lawn infront of the building where in inmates could walk and play outdoor games there was a big court-yard inside the building adjoining the verandah. Near about Rs.15,000/- were spent by the State Government to make improvements as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The situation of the building was such that it was easily accessi-ble and was not at much distance from hospitals and couts. The police out-post was quite near. The locality was very decent anf safe and neat and clean. The building by appearance looked like a residential bungalow. From the saftey point of view the old building was very good.
The new building were the home has been shifted is situated at 34/58/2, Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara, Agra which is at atthe out-skirts of town, far away from the hospitals and courts where the inmates have to be frequently taken. The Yamuna river is just near this new building and there in ‘Behar’. Even from the consideration of the staff which is mostly consisting of females it is very unsafe place for them to come and go back to their homes. No public conveyance ia available near it. The approach road is Kancha and uneven and is likey to be blocked during rains. From the security point of view this building is most unsafe. This new building is much inferior in every respect to the old building. Though the rooms in this building are quite big but they appear to have been constructed for the purpose of godown and not for human dwelling. There are no cross ventilators and windows in these rooms and no one will feel suffocation in entering in the room. This building belongs to the same person who is owner of the old building.
As regards the accommodation in this building; there is no room for the Superintendent’s residence and 3 rooms for office purpose and for the actual living of the inmates. There is one big hall having no cross ventilation. There is only one window which opens in the verandah. When the room was opened bad smell was coming out of it and it is actually very difficult to live in the room during summer season. There is one big kitchen which too has no cross ventilation. There are 3 rooms, 2 in one side and one in other side of the kitchen which are to be used as class rooms for the inmates. These rooms also have no cross ventilation. Therefore, it will be very difficult to run classes in the rooms. There are 7 flush latrines and 7 bath-rooms in this new building which are quite sufficient for the inmates. There is a big courtyard in the building. The roof cannot be used for want of stairs. There is no privacy for the inmates and members of the staff. The police station and police out-post are at much distance from this building. For the security of the inmates it is necessary that the armed police guard should be posted here round the clock. On comparison I find that this new building is as much inferior to the old building from the point of view of security.
The new building is at a considerable distance from the Civil Courts. Therefore, the Government should be requested to provide conveyance to the Inspecting Judge………………..
The Additional District Judge in his subsequent Inspection Report dated 2nd September, 1985 expressed his agreement with the finding reached by his predecessor “that the building is not suitable for the keeping of inmates as well as from security point of view” and added:
“I have been told by the Superintendent that the electric connection of the building had to be cut due to leakage of electric current a month back. It is told that due to rains the building becomes very dampy and place where the electric meter is installed is filled up with water. The electric line to the Home is of 400 volts instead of 220 volts as the building is in industrial area. That the inmates felt electric shocks on many occasions and ultimately the connection had to be cut off as per oral directions of the A.D.M. City Agra on 27.7.1985. That the Superintendent has contacted the owner of the present building who has promised to help. The electricty deppartment has not yet submitted an estimate for changing the meter to a safer place. The Superintendent has been asked to contact the Executive Engineer, Electricity Board and if required, the district administration to get the electricity resumed as early as possible. The electricity is not only essential for the daily needs but it is very much essential from the security point of view also. The building ia situated in a lonely place and sufficient light through the day and night is a must. Dr. R.S. Sodhi has suggested that the Superintendent should ask for a generator. I agree with him. The Superintendent should should write to his department emphasizing the need for an electric generator, keeping in view that the building is situated in industrial area whre electric cut is every day affair.
Dr. R.S. Sodhi has drawn my attention to the fact that inspite of the mention by my learned predecessor in his last inspection about the necessity of posting a Police Guard, no such arrangement has yet been made by the District Police. I have asked the Superintendent to send a letter to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Agra, for either posting an Armed Guard at the Protective Home or openinig a Police Out-post nearby. In this reference I would like to mention an event narrated to me by Smt. Sood. Smt. Sood on her last visit dated 21.8.1985 found an outsider on the roof of the Protective Home when asked how she came to the roof, the outsider told her that it is very easy to climb the western wall of the Protective Home. Keeping this fact into mind that it is an easy task for a gril to climb the roof of this building, it becomes all the more necessary that proper security arrangement be made for the life and safety of the inmates and the lady staff working there.”
It is indeed surprising that State Government should have shifted the Protective Home from the building in Vijaya Nagar Colony to the new building in Addarsh Nagar, Rajwara without obtaining the permission of this Court. When the present case ensuring decent living conditions for the inmates of the Protective Home was pending in this Court and this Court had shown great concern for the welfare of the inmates and issued various directions from time to time with a view to improving the living conditions in the Protective Home, the State Government ought to have applied to this Court for permission to shift the Protective Home. It is matter of regret that highly placed officers in the Administration should have totally ignored the pendency of the present case and p=roceeded to shift the Protective Home without as much as even informing the Court. We do not find the affidavits filed on behalf of the State Government even as expression of regret on the part of the concerned officials for shifting the Protective Home without seeking the permission of the Court or even mentioning the proposal for shifting the Court. It is obvious that what has been done has the effect of subverting the authority of this Court and unless proper and adequate expression of regret is forthcoming from concernd officials, we may have to consider whether we should adopt appropriate proceedings against the erring officials.
The only argument put forward in the affidavit of Shri Ram Swarup, Deputy Seretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh in support of shifting the Protective Home, was that the landlord was preparee to give more than double the carpet area in the new building at the same rent, viz., Rs.375/- p.m. and the the landlord had agreed to renovate and reconstruct, the new building so as to make it fit for the Protective Home. We do not think accept this as a valid argument. It is not doubt true that the carpet area in the new building is alomst double that in the old building but, as it clear from the Inspection Repotrs of the Additional District Judge dated June 17th July, 1985 and Septemeber , 1985, the new building is from the point of view of security, safety and other facilities very much inferior to the old building. We do not wish to repeat what has been stated by the learned Additional District Judge in the two Inspection Reports dated 17th July and 2nd September 1985, but fron every point of view, except the carpet area, the new building is unsatisfactory and it is needed surprising that the Administration should have opted in favour of the new building. Moreover, if it is true that the landl;ord agreed to renote and reconstruct the new building with a view to make it fit for the Protectve Home, it is difficult to understand why the Protective Home should have been shifted to the new building without the necessary renovation and reconstruction having been carried out by the landlord. The landlord should have been asked to put up windows in the hall, kitchen and the other three rooms for the purpose of providing cross ventilation, to carry out necessary repairs and renovation in the new building and to change the entire electrical wiring and the electric meter before shifting the Protective Home. But, none of these changes was required to be carried out by the landlord before shifting the Protective Home and it is needed regrettable that Shri Ram Swarup should have stated in his affidavit that the State Government proposes to carry out the necessary repairs and renovation instead of requiring the lanlord to do so as agreed by him. Should we not except greater concern about public expenditure?
But , despite or anguish at shifting of the Protective Home from the old building to the new building, we cannot do anything about it, since possession of the old building has laready been surrendered to the landlord and the best that can be done in the circumstances is to start the process all over again and commence giving directions for improving the living conditions in the new building. We should, in the first place, call upon the State Government to file an affidavit of the Commissioner, Agra division as to why the posession of the old building was handed over to the landlord in-spite of the fact that the landlord had lost his suit for eviction and why the Protective Home was shifted to a place which suffers from the varios drawbacks set out in the Inspection Reports dated 17th July 1985 and 2nd September 1985. We should require the Commissioner, Arga Division to hte state in his affidavit as to whether we had gone and seen the new building before agreeing to shift the Protective Home and what steps were taken by him in order to make the new building fit for occupation by girls before shifting to the new building. We should also like the Commissioner, Agra Division to produce the correspondence which took place between the landlord and the Administration relating to the decision to surrender possession of the old building and accept the new building for the Protective Home as also to inform the Court as to what was the purpose for which the new building had been used prior to the shifting of the Protective Home. The Commissioner, Agra Division will also produce before the Court at the next hearing of the writ petition the pleadings in the suit for eviction of the old building filed by the landlord and the Judgement of the Allahabad High Court confirming dismissal of the suit. Secondly, we would direct the State Government to carry out the following directions:
(1) The approach road to the new building shall be made into a pucca or semi-pucca road so that it does not get blocked or waterlogged by rain. This shall be done 3 months from today.
(2) The big hall also the three rooms used as class-rooms and the kitchen shall be provided with cross ventilation by putting up sufficient number of windows so as to ensure passage of air in and out the rooms. The Disrict Judge or the Additional Disrtict Judge nominated by him shall determine how many windows are necessary to be constructed for this purpose.
(3) Exhaust fans shall be provided in the big hall, three class-rooms, kitchen and offices.
(4) The State Government shall provide protection throughout day and night for hte inmates of the Protective Home in the new building.
(5) The State Government shall either provide accommodation to the staff of the Protective Home in or near the new building or provide conveyance to the members of the staff for coming to the Protective Home and going back to their respective homes unless public transport is available in the immediate vicinity of the Protective Home.
(6) We are informed that mosquito nets have been provided by the State Government to each and every inmate as also to the members of the staff staying in the Protective Home but if that has not yet been done, the State Government shall immediately takes steps to provide mosquito nets to each and every inmates and member of the staff staying in the Protective Home.
(7) The State Government shall provide a conveyance for taking the inmates to the Court and bringing them bak to the Protective Home and similarly, conveyance shall also be provided to the District Judge or Addititonal District Judge inspecting the Protective Home.
(8) The District Manager (Telephones), Agra shall immediately shift the telephone to the new building and whatever steps are necessary for this purpose shall be taken by the State Government without any delay.
(9) The State Government shall immediately provide cooking gas in the kitchen so that it is not necessaary to use wood for cooking which may emit a lot of smoke and lead to discomfort and suffocation on account of lack of ventilation.
(10) The State Government shall immediately proceed to carry out rewiring as also to instal the electric meter in a safe place where there is no dampmess. We find from the latest Inspection Report of the Additional District Judge dateed 30th June, 1986 that the electric meter has been shifted to the chamber of the Superintendent. We hope and trust that the new place to which it is shifted is not damp so as to imperil the safety of the inmates. That is a matter which would have to be looked into by the District Judge or the Additional District Judge when he goes for inspection. But we also think it necessary to direct that since the electric line is of 400 voltage and would, therefore, be dangerous for the inmates, the State Government shall without any undue delay proceed to take the necessary step to instal a generator so that the safey of the inmates is not jeopardised.
Thirdly, we find that despite directions given by this Court on variuos occasions, the State Government has not yet constituted a Board of Visitors as prescribed in Rule 40 of the Rules made under the Supression of Immoral Traffic in Women & Girls Act. We should, therefore, direct the State Government to set up, within a period of two weeks from the receipt of this Order, a Board of Visitors on which there shall be at least three social activists working in the field of welfare of women and particularly supression of immoral traffic in women and there shall be included in the Board of Visitors two persons to be nominated by the District Judge, Agra within two weeks from today.
Fourthly, the Superintendent of the Protective Home shall take care to see that woman or girl is detained in the Protective Home without due authority and process of law. The District Judge, Agra who carried out monthly inspection of the Protective Home shall verify during every visit that woman or girl is detained except under the authority of law and he finds that any of them is detained without any authority of law, he shall take steps to see that she is released and repatriated to her parents or husband or other proper authority.
Fifthly, we should direct the District Judge, Agra to nominate two socially committed Advocates who would by turns visit the Protective Home once in a fortnight and enquire from the inmates in regard to their needs and requirements and provide them legal aid and assistance, where required. Each of the Advocates visiting the Protective Home pursuant to this direction shall be paid by the State Government an honorarium of Rs.50/- per visit plus out of pocket expenses.
Lastly, we are pained to point out that though we gave directions from time to time for formulating an effective programme of rehabilitation of the inmates in the Protective Home and th State Government also on several occasions promised that they would come forward with a rehaibiliation programme, nothing seems to have been done by the State Government so far except engaging a sewing teacher. We have pointed out on more than one occasion that it is absolutely essential that the inmates in the Protective Home should be provided a proper rehabilitation programme so that when they come out of the Protective Home, they are in a position to look after themselves and they do not slide into prostitution on account of economic want. The inmates must be given vocational training and guidance by way of rehabilitation. We should, therefore, once again direct the State Government to prduce at the next hearing of the writ petition a detailed rehabilitation programme which they have either set up or they propose to set up within a specified time limit. We should also like the Superintendent of the Protective Home to consider whether it would be possible to arrange for their wedding to proper persons in case they want to get married. The Superintendent of the Protective Home can follow the example of the Nari Niketan in Delhi where a Committee was set up by this Court for the purpose of investigation into the antecedents of would-be bridegrooms in order to ensure that they were genuine persons wishing to marry the inmates and not bogus or sham bridegrooms who were going through the ceremony of marriage merely for the purpose of pushing them into prostitution. The District Judge will constitute an appropriate Committee for this purpose consisting of himself and at-least two socila activists. The State Government will also initiate proper follow up action in this behalf with a view to ensuring that the inmates are not taken back to the brothels or/and they do nto again slide into prostitution.
The District Judge, Agra or any other Additional District Judge nominated by him shall visit the Protective Home once every month for the purpose of ensuring that the aforesaid directions given by us carried out fully and effectively and he shall submit an Inspection Report to this Court on/or before the 15th of every month.
The writ petition shall now come up for hearing on 29th September, 1986.
The writ petition has come up for hearing in view of certain developments which have taken place since the making of our last Order. It was on the basis of a letter addressed by the petitioners that this writ petition cme to be entertained by the Court. The petitioners pointed out in the letter which was treated as awrit petition that the conditions in which girls were living in the Government Protective Home atr Agra were abominable and they were being denied their right to live with basic human dignity by the State of Uttar Pradesh which was running the Protective Home. The Court thereupon made various orders from time to time with z view to improving the living conditions of the girls in the Protective Home and ensuring a decent and healthy standard of living for them. The Court also asked the District Judge to make periodic inspection of the Protective Home with a view to monitoring full and effective implementation of various orders made by the Court from time to time. The District Judge himself for an Additional District Judge nominated by him, inspected tthe Protective Home form time to time and submitted Inspedction Reports which came up for consideration before the Court on various occasions. It appears that the efforts made by the pertitioners aided by Dr.R.S. Sodhi Honorary General Secretary, Asswociation for Social Health in India, were nearing successful conclusion when everything which had been done by the Court order to improve the living conditions of the inmates of the Protective Home was set at naught by the State Government by shifting the Protective Home from its location in Vijayanagar colony to Adarsh Nagar Rajwara.
The accommodation in the premises in Vijayanagar colony had been made fairly satisfactory by the State Government pursuant to the Orders made by the Court from time to time and living conditions had considerably improved. But sometime in March, 1984 Dr.R.S.Sodhi who lived in Agra (he died sometime back) came to know that the State Government was contemplating shifting of the Protective Home from the Vijayanagar colony to another locality. Immediately, on coming to know of this contemplated move on behalf of the State Government, Dr. R.S. Sodhi in a letter dated 14th March, 1984 addressed to the District Judge, Agra pointed out that since the matter was pending in the Court, the Protective Home sholud not be shifted without theb permosion of the Court and the District Judge also in his Inspection Report dated 15th March, 1984 drew attention to this fact. The District Judge in his Inspection Report dated 11th May, 1984 once again pointed out that he had already made clear that “in case the Government wants to shift the Government Protctive Home to any othet building, the contention of Dr. Sodhi that permission of the Honoourable Supreme Court is mandatory, may be considered serously before taking any steps in this regard. The District Judge reiterated in his Inspection Report dated 5th January, 1985 that since the writ petition concerning the welfare of the inmates and smooth running of the Protective Home is pending before the Honourable Supreme Court and and the shifting of the Home to new building is concerned with this subject, hence it will be advisable for the Administration and the Government to seek prior approval of the Honourable Supreme Courtbefore shifting the Home to the new building. It seems , however, that no sterps were taken by the State Gov-ernment or the Administration to obtain the permission of the Court for shifting the Protective Home to another building and without obtaining such permission the State Government, sometime in the middle of 1985, surrendered possession of the premises in Vijayanagar colony to the landlord shifted the Protective Home to new premises in Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara. It may be pointed out that the landlord had filed a suit against the State Government for eviction from the premises in Vijayanagar colony but the suit was ultimately dismissed and the dismissal was upheld by the High Court of Allahabad. There was, therefore, no pressure on the State Government to vacate the premises in Vijayanagar colony. Yet, the State Government surrendered possession of the premises to the lanlord accepted from him tenacy of the premises in Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara. Perturbed by this action on the part of the State Government, Dr. R.S.Sodhi addressed a letter dated 17th June, 1985 to the District Judge drawing his attention to the shifting of the Protective Home to the new premises without the permission of this Court and on the basis of this letter, the District Judge instructed the Additional District Judge to visit the new premis-es and to submit a report in regard to the comparatiave facili-ties of security, toilet and other amenities available in the new premises as compared to the old premises. The Additional Distirct Judge after visiting the new premises submitted a Report dated 17th July, 1985 in which he pointed out the following facts:
“In the previous building situated at Vijaya Nagar Colony in which the Government Protective Home was situated had 4 flush latrines and 4 bathrooms constructed on the directions given by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Besides, there was separate resi-dence for Superintendent, Government Protective Home and one room measuring 22′ X 15′ half of which was used for the office and other half used for hold classes for the inmates Behind this hall there were two big verandas each measuring 21′ X 12′ and 18′ X 12′ which were used for the purpose of bedrooms for inmates after putting up 3 curtains as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Two rooms measuring 13′ X 13′ wre used for sewing classes and for indoor games. Three underground cellers were used as store-rooms for miscellaneous purposes. There was one kitchen measuring about 15′ X 15′ in one corner. In addi-tion to this there was a big lawn infront of the building where in inmates could walk and play outdoor games there was a big court-yard inside the building adjoining the verandah. Near about Rs.15,000/- were spent by the State Government to make improvements as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The situation of the building was such that it was easily accessi-ble and was not at much distance from hospitals and couts. The police out-post was quite near. The locality was very decent anf safe and neat and clean. The building by appearance looked like a residential bungalow. From the saftey point of view the old building was very good.
The new building were the home has been shifted is situated at 34/58/2, Adarsh Nagar, Rajwara, Agra which is at atthe out-skirts of town, far away from the hospitals and courts where the inmates have to be frequently taken. The Yamuna river is just near this new building and there in ‘Behar’. Even from the consideration of the staff which is mostly consisting of females it is very unsafe place for them to come and go back to their homes. No public conveyance ia available near it. The approach road is Kancha and uneven and is likey to be blocked during rains. From the security point of view this building is most unsafe. This new building is much inferior in every respect to the old building. Though the rooms in this building are quite big but they appear to have been constructed for the purpose of godown and not for human dwelling. There are no cross ventilators and windows in these rooms and no one will feel suffocation in entering in the room. This building belongs to the same person who is owner of the old building.
As regards the accommodation in this building; there is no room for the Superintendent’s residence and 3 rooms for office purpose and for the actual living of the inmates. There is one big hall having no cross ventilation. There is only one window which opens in the verandah. When the room was opened bad smell was coming out of it and it is actually very difficult to live in the room during summer season. There is one big kitchen which too has no cross ventilation. There are 3 rooms, 2 in one side and one in other side of the kitchen which are to be used as class rooms for the inmates. These rooms also have no cross ventilation. Therefore, it will be very difficult to run classes in the rooms. There are 7 flush latrines and 7 bath-rooms in this new building which are quite sufficient for the inmates. There is a big courtyard in the building. The roof cannot be used for want of stairs. There is no privacy for the inmates and members of the staff. The police station and police out-post are at much distance from this building. For the security of the inmates it is necessary that the armed police guard should be posted here round the clock. On comparison I find that this new building is as much inferior to the old building from the point of view of security.
The new building is at a considerable distance from the Civil Courts. Therefore, the Government should be requested to provide conveyance to the Inspecting Judge………………..
The Additional District Judge in his subsequent Inspection Report dated 2nd September, 1985 expressed his agreement with the finding reached by his predecessor “that the building is not suitable for the keeping of inmates as well as from security point of view” and added:
“I have been told by the Superintendent that the electric connection of the building had to be cut due to leakage of electric current a month back. It is told that due to rains the building becomes very dampy and place where the electric meter is installed is filled up with water. The electric line to the Home is of 400 volts instead of 220 volts as the building is in industrial area. That the inmates felt electric shocks on many occasions and ultimately the connection had to be cut off as per oral directions of the A.D.M. City Agra on 27.7.1985. That the Superintendent has contacted the owner of the present building who has promised to help. The electricty deppartment has not yet submitted an estimate for changing the meter to a safer place. The Superintendent has been asked to contact the Executive Engineer, Electricity Board and if required, the district administration to get the electricity resumed as early as possible. The electricity is not only essential for the daily needs but it is very much essential from the security point of view also. The building ia situated in a lonely place and sufficient light through the day and night is a must. Dr. R.S. Sodhi has suggested that the Superintendent should ask for a generator. I agree with him. The Superintendent should should write to his department emphasizing the need for an electric generator, keeping in view that the building is situated in industrial area whre electric cut is every day affair.
Dr. R.S. Sodhi has drawn my attention to the fact that inspite of the mention by my learned predecessor in his last inspection about the necessity of posting a Police Guard, no such arrangement has yet been made by the District Police. I have asked the Superintendent to send a letter to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Agra, for either posting an Armed Guard at the Protective Home or openinig a Police Out-post nearby. In this reference I would like to mention an event narrated to me by Smt. Sood. Smt. Sood on her last visit dated 21.8.1985 found an outsider on the roof of the Protective Home when asked how she came to the roof, the outsider told her that it is very easy to climb the western wall of the Protective Home. Keeping this fact into mind that it is an easy task for a gril to climb the roof of this building, it becomes all the more necessary that proper security arrangement be made for the life and safety of the inmates and the lady staff working there.”
It is indeed surprising that State Government should have shifted the Protective Home from the building in Vijaya Nagar Colony to the new building in Addarsh Nagar, Rajwara without obtaining the permission of this Court. When the present case ensuring decent living conditions for the inmates of the Protective Home was pending in this Court and this Court had shown great concern for the welfare of the inmates and issued various directions from time to time with a view to improving the living conditions in the Protective Home, the State Government ought to have applied to this Court for permission to shift the Protective Home. It is matter of regret that highly placed officers in the Administration should have totally ignored the pendency of the present case and p=roceeded to shift the Protective Home without as much as even informing the Court. We do not find the affidavits filed on behalf of the State Government even as expression of regret on the part of the concerned officials for shifting the Protective Home without seeking the permission of the Court or even mentioning the proposal for shifting the Court. It is obvious that what has been done has the effect of subverting the authority of this Court and unless proper and adequate expression of regret is forthcoming from concernd officials, we may have to consider whether we should adopt appropriate proceedings against the erring officials.
The only argument put forward in the affidavit of Shri Ram Swarup, Deputy Seretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh in support of shifting the Protective Home, was that the landlord was preparee to give more than double the carpet area in the new building at the same rent, viz., Rs.375/- p.m. and the the landlord had agreed to renovate and reconstruct, the new building so as to make it fit for the Protective Home. We do not think accept this as a valid argument. It is not doubt true that the carpet area in the new building is alomst double that in the old building but, as it clear from the Inspection Repotrs of the Additional District Judge dated June 17th July, 1985 and Septemeber , 1985, the new building is from the point of view of security, safety and other facilities very much inferior to the old building. We do not wish to repeat what has been stated by the learned Additional District Judge in the two Inspection Reports dated 17th July and 2nd September 1985, but fron every point of view, except the carpet area, the new building is unsatisfactory and it is needed surprising that the Administration should have opted in favour of the new building. Moreover, if it is true that the landl;ord agreed to renote and reconstruct the new building with a view to make it fit for the Protectve Home, it is difficult to understand why the Protective Home should have been shifted to the new building without the necessary renovation and reconstruction having been carried out by the landlord. The landlord should have been asked to put up windows in the hall, kitchen and the other three rooms for the purpose of providing cross ventilation, to carry out necessary repairs and renovation in the new building and to change the entire electrical wiring and the electric meter before shifting the Protective Home. But, none of these changes was required to be carried out by the landlord before shifting the Protective Home and it is needed regrettable that Shri Ram Swarup should have stated in his affidavit that the State Government proposes to carry out the necessary repairs and renovation instead of requiring the lanlord to do so as agreed by him. Should we not except greater concern about public expenditure?
But , despite or anguish at shifting of the Protective Home from the old building to the new building, we cannot do anything about it, since possession of the old building has laready been surrendered to the landlord and the best that can be done in the circumstances is to start the process all over again and commence giving directions for improving the living conditions in the new building. We should, in the first place, call upon the State Government to file an affidavit of the Commissioner, Agra division as to why the posession of the old building was handed over to the landlord in-spite of the fact that the landlord had lost his suit for eviction and why the Protective Home was shifted to a place which suffers from the varios drawbacks set out in the Inspection Reports dated 17th July 1985 and 2nd September 1985. We should require the Commissioner, Arga Division to hte state in his affidavit as to whether we had gone and seen the new building before agreeing to shift the Protective Home and what steps were taken by him in order to make the new building fit for occupation by girls before shifting to the new building. We should also like the Commissioner, Agra Division to produce the correspondence which took place between the landlord and the Administration relating to the decision to surrender possession of the old building and accept the new building for the Protective Home as also to inform the Court as to what was the purpose for which the new building had been used prior to the shifting of the Protective Home. The Commissioner, Agra Division will also produce before the Court at the next hearing of the writ petition the pleadings in the suit for eviction of the old building filed by the landlord and the Judgement of the Allahabad High Court confirming dismissal of the suit. Secondly, we would direct the State Government to carry out the following directions:
(1) The approach road to the new building shall be made into a pucca or semi-pucca road so that it does not get blocked or waterlogged by rain. This shall be done 3 months from today.
(2) The big hall also the three rooms used as class-rooms and the kitchen shall be provided with cross ventilation by putting up sufficient number of windows so as to ensure passage of air in and out the rooms. The Disrict Judge or the Additional Disrtict Judge nominated by him shall determine how many windows are necessary to be constructed for this purpose.
(3) Exhaust fans shall be provided in the big hall, three class-rooms, kitchen and offices.
(4) The State Government shall provide protection throughout day and night for hte inmates of the Protective Home in the new building.
(5) The State Government shall either provide accommodation to the staff of the Protective Home in or near the new building or provide conveyance to the members of the staff for coming to the Protective Home and going back to their respective homes unless public transport is available in the immediate vicinity of the Protective Home.
(6) We are informed that mosquito nets have been provided by the State Government to each and every inmate as also to the members of the staff staying in the Protective Home but if that has not yet been done, the State Government shall immediately takes steps to provide mosquito nets to each and every inmates and member of the staff staying in the Protective Home.
(7) The State Government shall provide a conveyance for taking the inmates to the Court and bringing them bak to the Protective Home and similarly, conveyance shall also be provided to the District Judge or Addititonal District Judge inspecting the Protective Home.
(8) The District Manager (Telephones), Agra shall immediately shift the telephone to the new building and whatever steps are necessary for this purpose shall be taken by the State Government without any delay.
(9) The State Government shall immediately provide cooking gas in the kitchen so that it is not necessaary to use wood for cooking which may emit a lot of smoke and lead to discomfort and suffocation on account of lack of ventilation.
(10) The State Government shall immediately proceed to carry out rewiring as also to instal the electric meter in a safe place where there is no dampmess. We find from the latest Inspection Report of the Additional District Judge dateed 30th June, 1986 that the electric meter has been shifted to the chamber of the Superintendent. We hope and trust that the new place to which it is shifted is not damp so as to imperil the safety of the inmates. That is a matter which would have to be looked into by the District Judge or the Additional District Judge when he goes for inspection. But we also think it necessary to direct that since the electric line is of 400 voltage and would, therefore, be dangerous for the inmates, the State Government shall without any undue delay proceed to take the necessary step to instal a generator so that the safey of the inmates is not jeopardised.
Thirdly, we find that despite directions given by this Court on variuos occasions, the State Government has not yet constituted a Board of Visitors as prescribed in Rule 40 of the Rules made under the Supression of Immoral Traffic in Women & Girls Act. We should, therefore, direct the State Government to set up, within a period of two weeks from the receipt of this Order, a Board of Visitors on which there shall be at least three social activists working in the field of welfare of women and particularly supression of immoral traffic in women and there shall be included in the Board of Visitors two persons to be nominated by the District Judge, Agra within two weeks from today.
Fourthly, the Superintendent of the Protective Home shall take care to see that woman or girl is detained in the Protective Home without due authority and process of law. The District Judge, Agra who carried out monthly inspection of the Protective Home shall verify during every visit that woman or girl is detained except under the authority of law and he finds that any of them is detained without any authority of law, he shall take steps to see that she is released and repatriated to her parents or husband or other proper authority.
Fifthly, we should direct the District Judge, Agra to nominate two socially committed Advocates who would by turns visit the Protective Home once in a fortnight and enquire from the inmates in regard to their needs and requirements and provide them legal aid and assistance, where required. Each of the Advocates visiting the Protective Home pursuant to this direction shall be paid by the State Government an honorarium of Rs.50/- per visit plus out of pocket expenses.
Lastly, we are pained to point out that though we gave directions from time to time for formulating an effective programme of rehabilitation of the inmates in the Protective Home and th State Government also on several occasions promised that they would come forward with a rehaibiliation programme, nothing seems to have been done by the State Government so far except engaging a sewing teacher. We have pointed out on more than one occasion that it is absolutely essential that the inmates in the Protective Home should be provided a proper rehabilitation programme so that when they come out of the Protective Home, they are in a position to look after themselves and they do not slide into prostitution on account of economic want. The inmates must be given vocational training and guidance by way of rehabilitation. We should, therefore, once again direct the State Government to prduce at the next hearing of the writ petition a detailed rehabilitation programme which they have either set up or they propose to set up within a specified time limit. We should also like the Superintendent of the Protective Home to consider whether it would be possible to arrange for their wedding to proper persons in case they want to get married. The Superintendent of the Protective Home can follow the example of the Nari Niketan in Delhi where a Committee was set up by this Court for the purpose of investigation into the antecedents of would-be bridegrooms in order to ensure that they were genuine persons wishing to marry the inmates and not bogus or sham bridegrooms who were going through the ceremony of marriage merely for the purpose of pushing them into prostitution. The District Judge will constitute an appropriate Committee for this purpose consisting of himself and at-least two socila activists. The State Government will also initiate proper follow up action in this behalf with a view to ensuring that the inmates are not taken back to the brothels or/and they do nto again slide into prostitution.
The District Judge, Agra or any other Additional District Judge nominated by him shall visit the Protective Home once every month for the purpose of ensuring that the aforesaid directions given by us carried out fully and effectively and he shall submit an Inspection Report to this Court on/or before the 15th of every month.
The writ petition shall now come up for hearing on 29th September, 1986.
