The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave jobs to five acid attack victims and a transgender person after their plight was brought to the notice of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal.
Confirming the decision, a senior member of the High Court administration said, “This is the first of its kind decision taken... All six have been given clerical jobs as per their qualification.”
‘Path-breaking initiative’
A source close to Justice Mittal’s office said this “path-breaking initiative” by the High Court could set an example for other institutions in the country.
The judicial officer, who did not wish to be named, said, “We have taken this step not only to give them a job but to give value to these people.
The officer added that the decision was taken after the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) sent a proposal earlier this month to explore job opportunities for these people while highlighting their plight.
Pursuant to this, Justice Mittal interacted with all six of them before proceeding to offer them jobs at the High Court on contractual basis.
‘Extremely happy’
“All of them faced discrimination and had failed to get jobs due to their physical condition, which prompted the DSLSA and the High Court to intervene,” added the official.
All six persons offered jobs said they were extremely happy with the High Court’s decision as they had approached various government bodies for jobs but to no avail.
Babli, a 29-year-old transgender, said she was forced to leave home since her gender was unacceptable to her family members. “No one gave me a job because of my gender,” she said.
Stories of attacks
Nasreen Jahan (38), a Class X pass out, who is a single mother to two girls was allegedly attacked by her former husband six months into their divorce.
Another acid attack victim Sapna (25), who recently passed her Class XII exams, was allegedly attacked by a relative who wanted to marry her despite her refusal.
Most qualified
With a graduation degree in her hand, 27-year-old Kamar Jahan is clearly the most qualified among the lot.
Ms. Jahan got married in 2009 but her husband left her and remarried. She was allegedly attacked by her husband’s second wife and relatives.
Shobha (24) is the youngest in the group. A Class X pass out, she calls herself lucky for having bagged a job in the High Court.
Mamta (29), who has studied till Class VIII, echoed Ms. Shobha’s sentiments.
