Bombay HC Express Pain Over Girls Been Treated As Commodity In 21st Century

Bombay High Court in a baby sale case observed- "it is highly objectionable to the principles of morality and human rights that girls are treated as a commodity and medium for financial benefits even in the 21st century.

In the baby sale case, the mother sold a one-year-old girl, and the accused woman who bought the child was granted bail citing woman has to take care of two minor children.

Bombay HC On Satara Baby Sale Case

While expressing great pain, a single-judge bench of Justice Shriram M Modak on February 8 granted bail to an accused woman from Satara, her husband is also accused in the case.

The mother reportedly mortgages her child for money she borrowed from the Satara woman. She repaid the loan, yet the accused couple refused to hand over the child back. Court noted, the child is back with her parents. Also, the child’s mother had to indulge in the act due to the “hard reality of life” as she needed money as her spouse was in jail.

Judge further noted, “We are in the 21st Century, still there are incidents wherein the girls are treated as a commodity and they have been used as a medium for financial benefits. It is highly objectionable to the principles of morality and human rights that a girl of one year is being sold by the natural mother… I am in great pain when the word sale is used." “There is no need to detain the applicant behind the bar till the conclusion of the trial. She is also having two minor children. Their welfare also needs to be considered. application is allowed,” the judge added.

Later, the mother approached the police, and as a result, a case was registered against the Satara couple under section 370 (trafficking of persons) of the Indian Penal Code, section 81 (prohibits the sale or acquisition of children for any reason) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, and section 39 (money lending business without a license) of the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act 2014.

The accused woman filed bailed plea twice but was rejected. However, her husband and another person accused in the case were released on bail. For now, the court instructed to release the woman on a personal bond and surety of Rs 25,000 and to report to the Satara police every month for a year. She cannot leave the district or state.

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