Woman delivered a child in Jail of Meghalaya

Woman was pregnant at the time of her arrest

The SC has granted bail to a woman accused of human trafficking on the ground that despite of almost two years her trial has not commenced and said she cannot be kept in confinement indefinitely.

A Bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant, and Hima Kohli granted bail to Drabhamon Phawa, a 21-year-old woman, who was accused of human trafficking.

The order has stated that, "Having heard counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner has suffered incarceration for a period of 18 months and has also delivered a child during custody, we deem it to be a fit case to grant her bail. The special leave petitions stand disposed of accordingly."

Drabhamon Phawa was pregnant at the time of her arrest and had been in jail since February 2020. She delivered her child in jail only.

Senior advocate Salman Khurshid and advocate TK Nayak, is representing the woman, told the SC that she herself was harboured into Delhi on the pretext of a dignified job and thereafter forced into flesh trade therefore, she is also the victim of the prostitution racket.

It was further stated that Phawa was pregnant at the time of her arrest and had undergone the entire period of pregnancy in prison. Since then, Drabhamon Phawa has delivered a child who is also in jail with her.

The Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the Delhi government opposed Phawa's petition on the grounds of "severity and seriousness of offenses" alleged against her.