- (1.)We have heard learned counsels for the parties. Shri Neeraj Kishan Kaul, learned Additional Solicitor General has placed before us a letter dated 3rd November, 2014 of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, highlighting the subsequent developments that have taken place in the case, namely, that it has now been confirmed that the alleged victim Ms.Jasmine alias Reshma Sheikh is a Bangladesh National and that the Bangladesh High Commission is taking necessary steps to issue the travel documents to facilitate Ms. Jasmine to travel to Bangladesh.
(2.)Though in the aforesaid communication dated 3rd November, 2014, it has been suggested that as soon as the Ministry receives Travel Permit from the Bangladesh High Commission, Ms. Jasmine would be escorted to Kolkata and handed over to the Border Security Force, who, in turn, will hand her over to the Bangladesh Authorities i.e. Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), the Court is of the view that instead of the aforesaid arrangement, it would be appropriate to direct that, within a week from the day of receipt of the travel documents to be issued by the Bangladesh High Commission, Ms. Jasmine will be escorted by Indian Official to Dhaka and will be handed over to an identified Authority in the Bangladesh Government for being given custody to her parents. The aforesaid Authority of the Bangladesh Government in Dhaka to whom custody of Ms. Jasmine would be handed over may be mentioned by the Bangladesh High Commission to the Ministry of Home Affairs for which a request to the said effect along with the copy of this order will be submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission by the Competent Authority in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The said Ministry would also request the Bangladesh High Commission to expedite the issuance of the travel documents so that Ms. Jasmine can travel to Bangladesh and be with her family at the earliest.
(3.)The Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions are disposed of in the above terms.