Mumbai High Court rebukes state over inaction in 2012 Mankhurd scandal where special girls were made to dance with bar boys. Eleven years on, officials still face no accountability.
Mumbai | June 17, 2025: In a strong-worded hearing held on Monday, the Bombay High Court expressed deep displeasure with the Maharashtra government for its continued inaction in a disturbing case from 2012 involving a state-run children’s home in Mankhurd.
The case centers around a controversial New Year’s Eve party organized at the Gatimand Children’s Home, where 20 special (differently-abled) girls were allegedly forced to dance with bar boys. Liquor was reportedly served, and the event continued into the early morning hours. These shocking details surfaced nearly a year later, prompting the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2014.
Despite over a decade having passed, the state has yet to take disciplinary action against officials from the Children’s Aid Society (CAC) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) — a failure the High Court harshly criticized.
A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the government’s delay in submitting a report. “We cannot keep a PIL pending for 11 years. Just tell us whether any action was taken or not,” the bench demanded bluntly.
When government lawyers sought more time to gather information, the court responded with visible anger:
“It took 11 years to find out what action was taken? You should be ashamed. How dare you ask for more time? Should we keep the petition pending for another 25 years? Do you even understand the consequences of such delay?”
The original PIL had urged disciplinary action against specific CAC and CWC officials involved in or aware of the incident. Over the years, various benches have issued directives, but the petition remains unresolved, leaving the question of accountability unanswered.
The court made it clear that delaying justice, especially in such a sensitive case involving vulnerable children, was unacceptable. “You cannot protect the wrongdoers by claiming ignorance. You will have to take action,” the bench emphasized.
As the case continues, the court’s remarks have reignited public concern over systemic negligence and the long road to justice for the victims.
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