Missing youths: HC orders setting up of probe panel

The team shall,the Court has ordered,investigate and find out the whereabouts of missing persons as well as collect further information with regard to Indians who are languishing in jails in Mali,Morocco and Spain.

Also,the High Court has issued directions to the Punjab government asking it to find out “what is the status of Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act 2010 which was sent for the Presidential assent on October 1,2010”.

The directions were issued on a petition filed by All-India Forum for National Reconciliation,an NGO. The petitioner had filed the petition in public interest on the disappearance of the Spain-bound youngsters in November 2004.

The petitioner has sought directions to the Union Ministry of External Affairs; Ministry of home; Punjab and the CBI for ascertaining the whereabouts of the missing youths. The petitioner has alleged the youngsters fell prey to unapproved,self-proclaimed travel agents,who defrauded them and exploited them by promising greener pastures abroad.

Assisting the Court,the amicus curiae,Anil Malhotra requested the Court to direct Punjab government to bring into operation the Human Smuggling Act which was okayed by the state in October last year.

Malhotra had also demanded that illegal immigrants belonging to India should be brought back by furnishing necessary documents.