IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) MONDAY, THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI DEVINDER GUPTA, THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE B.SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 737 of 1999 Between: Thakur D.S.Hari Narayan Singh, S/o. Sukhdev Singh. R/o.2-2-647/7G, Central Excise Colony, Bagh Amberpet, Hyderabad. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Government of A.P., reptd. By its Secretary, Child & Women Welfare Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad. 2 The Collector, Eluru, West Godavari District. 3 The Superintendent of Police, Eluru, West Godavari Distrct. .....RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court may be pleased to issue a appropriate Writ, order or direction declaring the action of the respondents in not taking strict measures to prohibit the flesh trade as evidenced by the news reports published in "Indian Express" dated 4-12-1998, 6-12-1998, and in "The Hindu" dated 6-12-1998 as arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional and violative of Articles-14, 15,21, 23 and various provisions of Part-IV of the Constitution of India and issue consequential directions to the respodnents to take rehabilitative measures to those who are involved in the flesh trade and pass such other order or orders which are deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case. Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.L.RAVICHANDER (None appeared) Counsel for the Respondent No.1: GP FOR WOMEN DEVELOPMENT & CHILD WELFARE Counsel for the Respondent No.2: GP FOR SOCIAL WELFARE Counsel for the Respondent NO.3: GP FOR HOME The Court made the following: ORDER: (per Hon’ble The Chief Justice) None for the petitioner. On 30.12.1998 this writ petition was filed by Thakur D.S.Hari Narayan Singh purporting to be in public interest to declare the action of the respondents in not taking strict measures to prohibit flesh trade and in not taking appropriate rehabilitatory measures for those who were involved in the flesh trade as arbitrary and illegal. The petitioner made reference to the news item published in English Daily ‘Indian Express’ on 04.12.1998 and 06.12.1998 and in ‘The Hindu’ on 06.12.1998 stating that according to newspaper reports shocking instances of trade in women particularly among Dommara Community in West Godavari District had come to notice. Women coming from nearby towns of Tenali, Nidadavole, Velpur, Tanuku and Tadepalligudem were being auctioned in the locality of sex workers. Sending of women on contract had been in practice in these areas. Thus the petitioner contends that the Government is not taking any steps to rehabilitate such women and to prevent this flesh trade. Rule was issued. Status-report has been filed by the Superintendent of Police, Eluru, West Godavari District. It is stated that in so far as the Police Department is concerned, its work is only advisory in the District Level Committee constituted for the purpose. There are no funds separately allotted to Police department to rehabilitate sex workers but the District Level Committee constituted with the District Collector as its Chairman is doing some work. The Project Director, DW & CDA, Eluru, also filed the status report. The Project Director, DW & CDA, Eluru is the competent authority to take up the measures with regard to the rehabilitation of the sexual workers. In this respect various measures have been taken by the Project Director by way of counseling the girls to give up the bad way of living and to undertake better livelihood. The sex workers who were identified were sanctioned loans and counseled to undertake respectable professions in the society. Financial assistance is also given to the said workers who were identified. Loans were also sanctioned to them. A committee constituted for the rehabilitation of sexual workers met under the Chairmanship of Regional Director of WD & CW, Eluru on 17.06.1999 in the Regional Deputy Directors Office and discussed on sanctioning of loans. The committee also conducted a special meeting with the sponsoring agencies on 05.07.1999, surveyed and identified the commercial sex workers all over the District and gathered the views and ideas of the beneficiaries so as to take effective steps for implementation of rehabilitation measures. The status report further shows that awareness programmes are being conducted on regular basis from Anganwadi Village level to Mandal level to bring awareness among sex workers. In view of the status-reports filed before us that the respondents are taking adequate rehabilitatory measures, no useful purpose will be served in keeping this writ petition pending and to issue any further direction in the matter, since the writ petitioner also appears to have lost interest in the matter after filing of this writ petition. Writ petition is accordingly closed. No order as to costs. __________________ (DEVINDER GUPTA, CJ) 14.02.2005 __________________________ ( B.SESHASAYANA REDDY, J) DR To 1 The Government of A.P., reptd. By its Secretary, Child & Women Welfare Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad. 2 The Collector, Eluru, West Godavari District. 3 The Superintendent of Police, Eluru, West Godavari Distrct. 4 2CCs to Government Pleader for Women Development and Child Welfare, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad. 5 2CCs to Government Pleader for Social Welfare, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad. 6 2CCs to Government Pleader for Home, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad. 7 2CD copies