KOZHIKODE: Legal hurdles remain for the return of four Bangladeshi women, three in Mahila Mandiram and one in Girls’ Home, while seven males, including a boy, arrested for travelling without valid documents, can go back. The police submitted release petition to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Thamarassery, the other day.
Interestingly, they filed the charge-sheet even after the home ministry intervened consequential to the Bangladesh government intervention through diplomatic channels. Arrested in August 2014, the males were languishing in prison without trial for more than one and half years, which could be considered as punishment period.
Koduvally circle inspector Premjith A. said they were completing legal formalities. “I hope by tomorrow we would be able to book tickets for the all seven including the boy in the juvenile home,” he told Deccan Chronicle. However, Anoop G. heading ‘Arm of Joy’, the organisation which was instrumental in bringing their plight to the limelight said each moment was precious as the date of travel permit expires on April 25.
“I am afraid whether we would be getting reservations in trains. They should be at Kolkata one day before the last date of the travel permit,” he told DC. There are cases registered against the three women in Mahila Mandiram, at the Manjeri police station and for the underage girl another case is pending in Bangalore. The women were trafficked eight years ago when they were aged 12, 13 and 14.
