Latest news with #Prajwala
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Telangana HC gives govt one week to decide on termination of minor rape victim's 21-week pregnancy
Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the state government and the superintendent of Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad to immediately constitute a medical board to look into a request for medical termination of a rape victim's 21-week pregnancy and inform the court of its opinion within a week. Justice K Sarath gave the order while hearing a petition filed by the NGO Prajwala seeking a court direction for immediate and comprehensive tests to be conducted on the 17-year-old rape victim. The NGO sought examinations by a qualified surgeon, gynaecologist, and obstetrician, in the presence of a qualified physician to formulate an opinion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act 1971. Seeking termination of the pregnancy at the earliest, the NGO said continuation of pregnancy posed a grave risk to the girl's health. It was submitted that the girl was rescued from a brothel and admitted to Prajwala's home for such victims for rehabilitation on the orders of a court and that during a routine medical checkup, it came to light that she was pregnant. The NGO also stated that the girl wants to end the pregnancy and doesn't want to carry it to term. Senior advocate Deepak Misra, appearing on behalf of Prajwala, argued that forcing a minor victim of sexual exploitation and trafficking to continue a pregnancy would severely harm her mental health, as per the MTP Act. He stressed that the minor is legally entitled to seek termination of her pregnancy if it poses a serious risk to her physical and mental well-being. 'Under section 3 of the MTP Act, pregnancy can be terminated upto 20 weeks of pregnancy and above 20 weeks, there should be a medical board which should examine and give consent. And section 6 of the MTP Act states that if the person is a minor, sex worker or rape victim, then they can go for termination even after 20 weeks,' the senior advocate said. He further argued that the minor victim is entitled to seek termination if it causes grave injury to her physical and mental health. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Hyderabad NGO worker moves Telangana HC against order to house sex trafficking accused; cites risk to victim safety, seeks legal protection
HYDERABAD: Prajwala, a Hyderabad-based NGO working for rehabilitation of sex trafficking victims, has approached the Telangana high court challenging a lower court order directing the NGO to accommodate a woman it claims is a trafficking accused and not a victim. It also sought the court's intervention to direct officials to ensure anyone accused of trafficking is not treated as a victimand housed in any rescue home. The petition was filed against a May 18 order by the III additional chief metropolitan magistrate of Hyderabad. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Prajwala's advocate Deepak Misra said such lapses made a mockery of rehabilitation efforts and endangered victims while urging the court to free the NGO from accommodating the woman. 'Brothel activities' 'She was found to be an organiser of brothel activities and an accused at SR Nagar police station for offences relating to human trafficking. Sending such a person to our rescue home runs contrary to the objects and purposes of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The magistrate passed this order despite our objections,' he said. The NGO counsel alleged that some individuals accused of trafficking were earlier housed in rescue shelters alongside survivors. When the bench wanted to know the state stance on the issue, it found that no one was there to answer its queries. The bench, while expressing its displeasure, posted the case to July state counsel later claimed that the bench recalled the order summoning the DGP and law secretary. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- The Hindu
Hyderabad police strengthens anti-human trafficking and child protection with new victim assistance centre
A new Victim Assistance Unit, Telangana's first dedicated centre aimed at providing support to survivors of human trafficking, was launched at the Central Crime Station (CCS), Hyderabad, on Tuesday. The unit, developed in collaboration with NGO Prajwala, is designed to help victims recollect their trauma in a safe, informed environment and support them through the judicial process, including preparation for court depositions. It will also assist in linking survivors with legal aid, State-run rehabilitation schemes and psycho-social counselling for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Staff from Prajwala will operate the centre under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women Safety Wing. Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand also inaugurated newly reorganised and dedicated facilities for its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) and Juvenile Bureau (JB) Unit. These reorganisations follow a Government Order issued by the Home Department on April 30, 2023, which initially brought the AHTU under the Women Safety Wing. A subsequent Government Order dated April 24, 2025, formally constituted these wings with a clearly sanctioned strength of personnel. The AHTU is staffed with eight officers, including an inspector, two sub-inspectors, two head constables, and three police constables. The unit has been tasked with identifying trafficking hotspots both online and offline, conducting rescue operations, gathering actionable intelligence, and closely monitoring the movements and networks of traffickers - including pimps, brothel operators, touts and their clientele. In the current year alone, the AHTU has registered 23 cases, rescued 44 victims, and arrested 71 individuals involved in trafficking-related crimes. The unit is also engaged in following up trial cases and facilitating the repatriation of Indian victims as well as the deportation of foreign nationals in coordination with relevant authorities. The Juvenile Bureau Team, also functioning as the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), has been given a sanctioned strength of seven officers, and is based out of CCS Hyderabad. It focuses on protecting children from abuse, child labour, bonded labour and trafficking. The team works in close coordination with the Child Welfare Committee and has so far this year repatriated four children within Telangana and seven to other States. Under the 'Operation Smile' and 'Operation Muskan' drives, 896 children have been rescued to date.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Indian Express
Trafficking ring busted in Hyderabad, 2 minor girls rescued, 3 suspects held: Police
By Debasmita Chowdhury TWO MINOR girls, who were allegedly kidnapped and trafficked for prostitution to Hyderabad, have been rescued in a coordinated operation by the Prajwala organisation and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Hyderabad Police, officers said on Friday. The rescue operation, led by Mohammad Ahammad Ali of Prajwala and conducted under the guidance of Padma Shri awardee Sunitha Krishnan of Prajwala, was launched on Thursday around 11 pm after receiving information from West Bengal Police. The mission was completed in under 10 hours through close collaboration with Hyderabad Police. 'Team Prajwala raided the flat around 3 am, where the victims were lodged. There were injections found, which indicated that the girls might have been forced into prostitution,' said Rishi Kant, member of Just rights for children alliance network of 250 organisation across India. Three suspected traffickers were arrested during the operation. One of the accused was allegedly found to be involved in multiple trafficking cases), though specific details of his criminal record were not immediately available. 'The girls have been rescued by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in Hyderabad and have been produced before the Child Welfare Unit. They have been sent safely to a children's home,' Kant said. According to Prajwala, FIRs were filed on Thursday at a police station in West Bengal and with the Hyderabad Police. The girls are undergoing medical checkups. Officers said the minors were hesitant to speak due to trauma and counselling will be required. 'There has been a complaint of a kidnapping case registered with us. The girls have been rescued. Our team is going to Hyderabad on Saturday… It's under investigation,' said a senior police officer in Canning. Sunitha Krishnan, co-founder of Prajwala, said, 'Two lives saved and two worlds safeguarded…' In Telangana, an FIR has been registered under relevant trafficking sections. All three accused have been remanded in judicial custody. (Debasmita Chowdhury is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
