Report No. 64
5.55. Delay in the production of girls.-
At this stage, we would like also to deal with the question whether a provision is needed to penalise Police Officers who are guilty of delay in the production of rescued girls. We have devoted some thought to the problem because, in our opinion, such a default by the police officers is likely to increase the opportunities for misconduct which are inherent in the very nature of the functions assigned to them by the Act.
The Act contains meticulous provisions fo'r the prompt production before the Magistrate of the girls rescued under sections 15 and 16. These provisions show the anxiety of the legislature to ensure that the girls shall not be detained under the Act for a longer time than is necessary in the circumstances of the case. In view of this anxiety of the legislature as reflected in these provisions-particularly by the use of the expression "forthwith"-we consider it desirable to recommend the insertion of a suitable provision dealing with non-production, so that the obligation cast on the Police officer to produce the girl promptly does not remain a dead letter.
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