Patna High Court Directs Action Against Alleged Trafficking Of Children In Orchestra & Dance Groups In Bihar

In response to a public interest petition filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance and Association for Voluntary Action, alleging that minor children are being trafficked and exploited under the guise of performing in orchestra, dance, and theatre groups in Bihar, the Patna High Court has ordered the State of Bihar to formulate a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder, State-wide action plan for the regulation, registration, and monitoring of orchestra, dance, and theatre groups. The Division Bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Partha Sarthy stated, “It is also expected from the State to take immediate action in case any such trafficking is reported in any of the orchestra/dance/ theater groups running in the State of Bihar.” The Court also held at paragraph 4, “Considering the overall perspective of the circumstances under which this writ petition has been filed, we find such request to be genuine.”Accordingly, the Court allowed the incorporation of an additional prayer seeking a directive for State action.The Court also directed the State to respond with urgency, “The State to respond to the petition by the next date with such immediacy as is required for this case.” “It is also expected from the State to take immediate action in case any such trafficking is reported in any of the orchestra/dance/ theater groups running in the State of Bihar,' the Court added.The petitioners were represented by Senior Advocate Sanjay Singh and Advocate Vatsal Verma. Through the plea, the petitioners sought the Court's intervention to direct the State government to devise a coordinated response to the issueThereby, the High Court directed not only the State authorities but also specifically requested the Women and Child Development Corporation (Respondent No. 9) to file a written response by the next hearing.The matter is now scheduled to be taken up again on 25th July 2025.Case Title: Just Rights for Children Alliance & Anr. v. State of Bihar & Ors.Case No.: Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 9293 of 2025Click Here To Read Order

Patna High Court Directs Action Against Alleged Trafficking Of Children In Orchestra & Dance Groups In Bihar

Bhavya Singh

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