Prof SK Bhalla
History sheeter Swarna has ultimately succeeded in securing bail despite the charges framed against her in FIR No 32/2023 u/s 366-A, 343/344/34 IPC , 4/6/16, POCSO Act and Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act are very grave. In three and half month of judicial custody, the Fast Track Court of session Judge Som Lal has passed bail order of Swarna and Co accuseds on Saturday which also happened to be last working day in the subordinate Judiciary. This development has sent shock waves among the residents of Qasim Nagar and its vicinity who repose un-shattering faith in the considered opinion of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which reads “Courts should not show any leniency to persons booked for such crimes and the perpetrators must be dealt with iron hands. Such an act leaves an indelible scar on the victim’s dignity, chastity, honor and reputation in society, and granting the accused bail would shake the confidence of the people at large”. Something is wrong somewhere.
Yesterday, only the district administration sealed the premises of notorious Swarna brothel but funnily in the evening she was sighted in the Qasim Nagar locality and seen threatening one and all with choicest abuses, while good conduct is a primary condition for one extended bail. Old habits die hard and history sheet of accused Swarna clearly shows that she is a hardened criminal lady having been honored with the six more FIRs viz FIR No 88 dated 10/09/2022 u/s 3.4.5.7 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 382, 341,323,504,506 of IPC @ PS Bagh e Bahu, FIR No 93/2022 u/s 452, 323, 382, 504, 506, 34 IPC @ PS Bagh e Bahu, FIR No 94/2016 u/s 376, 120-B of RPC registered @ PS Channi Himmat , FIR No 105/2016 u/s 376 RPC @ PS Channi Himmat , FIR No 01/2016 u/s 341, 323, 34 RPC @ PS Bagh e Bahu and FIR No 2/2016 u/s 353, 332, 147 RPC @ PS Bagh e Bahu. In this criminal scenario, the incorrigible offender Swarna should be slapped with PSA for larger public interest as there are reports that apart from running a human trafficking web she is also involved in drug distribution racket with its tentacles spread beyond Lakhanpur and enjoying patronage in the system.
In another development related to this matter, the owner of one Hotel MC Dollar where the rescued minor girl used to be exploited for months together has secured a stay order from J&K High Court against sealing of its business establishment under stringent provisions of Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. It is expected of the incumbent Deputy Commissioner Jammu to gear its men and machinery to get vacated the stay for the larger public good and restore the confidence of people in the functioning of district administration besides sending a strong signal to lords and lasses of Human Trafficking that the District administration means business. The unlawful acts of accused Swarna deserves no clemency both from Judiciary and administration as giving latitude to enemies of society would further embolden them which would decimate the sincere endeavors of LG administration to make J&K UT free from Human and drug trafficking. Besides posing a serious threat to society.
(The author of the article is a retired Principal of HED and a renowned anti corruption crusader. The views expressed are personal and he can be reached at 7051218339)