New Delhi, February 13 Expressing concern over hardened criminals using children as a "weapon" to evade legal action, the Delhi High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to a woman accused of trafficking a child and involving him in the sale of illicit liquor.
In a recent order, Justice Girish Kathpalia stated that the exploitation of children in the commission of crimes was increasing day by day.
He opined that the woman's custodial interrogation was necessary to determine if more children had been trafficked for such purposes.
"Granting anticipatory bail in a case where a child was exploited in the commission of crimes would send a very wrong message to society. The exploitation of children in the commission of crimes is increasing day by day. Children are now often being used as a weapon by hardened criminals to evade legal action," the court stated in its order passed on February 4.
"I do not find it a fit case to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant," the court held.
The woman was accused of trafficking a child from her village and employing him in the sale of illicit liquor in Delhi.
Police registered an FIR after a close relative of the accused was seen selling illicit liquor along with the boy.
The accused contended that there was nothing to suggest that she brought the boy to Delhi for the sale of illicit liquor. She also argued that there was no evidence to connect her to the alleged liquor sale.
The Delhi Police opposed her anticipatory bail plea. It stated that the investigation had revealed that the accused was actively involved in the illicit liquor sale racket and even received money in the process.