“You Should Be Ashamed Of Your Officers”
After 12 years, Bombay High Court Today (June 16) demanded action on a shocking 2012 New Year’s Eve party where mentally challenged girls were taken without permission, alcohol was served, and bar dancers performed. The Court has now ordered an official inquiry and warned the State of contempt action for inaction.
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MUMBAI: Nearly 12 years after a serious incident came to public notice, the Bombay High Court has now ordered a proper investigation into a 2012 New Year party. This party reportedly had alcohol and bar dancers and was attended by 26 mentally challenged girls. These girls were allegedly taken to the event without any official permission.
The Division Bench, which included Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne, passed this strong order on Monday. They asked the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to carry out a full inquiry and send a report to the Maharashtra government in six weeks.
The Court also directed the State government to take proper action based on the report’s findings and to file a compliance report within three months.
This important direction came because of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2014 by a social worker named Sangeeta Sandeep Punekar.
In her PIL, Punekar said that an illegal New Year celebration happened on 31st December 2012 at Agrawal Hall, which is located inside the boys’ section of the Children Aid Society Shelter Home in Mankhurd.
She claimed that bar dancers were called to perform and alcohol was served. According to her, 26 mentally challenged girls were taken to this party and came back only at around 3:15 AM.
She also stated that there was no permission taken for such a party, and the incident was hidden by the authorities. At that time, the Trombay Police had given a clean chit to the organizers. But the petitioner said that the matter was not properly investigated.
In its first order passed on August 6, 2014, the Bombay High Court said the allegations were “shocking”. The Court told the Crime Branch to investigate the incident and also ordered the creation of a special committee with members from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Child Welfare Committee.
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The Court also gave protection to whistleblowers who had exposed the incident and were allegedly getting threats from senior officers.
Even after these early steps, no proper action was taken for many years. On June 16, 2025, the Court showed strong displeasure over this long delay.
“A petition cannot be kept pending like this for 11 years. You (State authorities) cannot protect wrongdoers. Action has to be taken. Have you conducted any enquiry? What action have you taken? We direct you to take action. In other ways we will [initiate] contempt,”
-the Court strongly said.
The Judges also criticised the State’s approach and said:
“You should be ashamed of your officers. You have the guts to say that we’ll find out?”
The Court noted that the government did not show any action taken against those who were responsible. That is why the Court has now ordered fresh action and a proper investigation.
CASE TITLE:
Sangeeta Sandeep Punekar v State of Maharashtra & Ors.
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