Patna High Court: In a Public Interest Litigation (‘PIL’) filed by the petitioners alleging that minor children were being subjected to trafficking and exploitation under the guise of orchestra/dance groups, the Division Bench of Ashutosh Kumar, ACJ* and Partha Sarthy, J., acknowledging the genuineness of the request directed the State to formulate a comprehensive multi-stakeholder strategy/State-wide Action Plan for the regulation, registration, and monitoring of such groups.
Background:
The PIL was filed by two organizations, Just Rights for Children Alliance and the Association for Voluntary Action. The petitioners raised concerns regarding the alleged trafficking and exploitation of minor children in the State of Bihar, occurring under the guise of orchestra, dance, and theatre groups. The petitioners contended that such unchecked activities would frustrate the very policy for protecting the children. The petitioners filed an interlocutory application praying for the State to be directed to formulate a comprehensive multistakeholder strategy/statewide Action Plan for the regulation, registration, and monitoring of the orchestra/dance/theatre groups.
Decision:
After considering the overall circumstances under which the writ petition was filed and the submissions made by the petitioners, the Court found the petitioners’ request to be genuine.
The Court allowed the interlocutory application directing the State to formulate a comprehensive multi-stakeholder strategy/State-wide action plan for the regulation, registration, and monitoring of these groups. The Court directed the State to file its response to the petition by the next date, emphasizing the immediacy required for the case.
The Court further directed the State to take immediate action in the event any such trafficking is reported in any orchestra, dance, or theatre groups operating within the State. The matter was re-notified for hearing on 25-07-2025.
[Just Rights for Children Alliance v. State of Bihar, 2025 SCC OnLine Pat 2300, decided on 27-06-2025]
*Judgment authored by: Justice Ashutosh Kumar, ACJ
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner: Sanjay Singh, Sr. Advocate, Vatsal Verma, Advocate
For the Respondent: P.K. Shahi, Advocate General, Vikash Kumar, AC to AG
