Shearing public conscience with a sensitive verdict that could have far-reaching consequences in speeding up justice to the underdog, Justice S. Nagamuthu of the Madras high court on Tuesday ordered the ‘immediate’ release of a 25-year-old woman from the government vigilance home at Mylapore where she had languished for almost three years because the lower court ‘mechanically’ kept extending her remand in a case of alleged flesh trade.
The judge had taken a humanistic approach to the tragedy of Priya (name changed) when the petition was first brought before him last Thursday.
He was visibly moved on hearing her sad tale — neglected by foster parents, deserted by husband and cheated by a job-agent who sold her to a brothel — and questioned why the Alandur magistrate mechanically kept extending her remand in the vigilance home and why the police did not initiate steps to bring her case to a conclusion.
Following the judge’s order, the police produced Priya’s mother, Venkatamma, from Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday.
The woman, in her 50s, agreed before the court to take Priya home on release. After this, Justice Nagamuthu pronounced an elaborate order that not only set Priya free but also directed the police to send two women police to escort Priya and Venkatamma to their house in Andhra Pradesh.
The judge also wanted the NGO, Prison Ministry of India, to visit the home and prepare a list of similar detainees languishing there.
“The relieved woman was moved to tears on hearing the judgement. With folded hands and tears in her eyes, she thanked the court,” said her lawyer M. Hussaini Basha.
“We are grateful to the court for this very kind gesture. We only hope that we will get the cooperation from the home and other state agencies to help these miserable women, most of whom were victims of cheats and circumstances,” said Tahera Saraiya, counsellor with the Ministry.
She has also found a teacher’s job for Priya at Venkatagiri because her mother is reluctant to take her home fearing embarrassing questions from inquisitive neighbours.