Bombay High Court: Prostitution is not a crime

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that there is no provision of law that makes prostitution a criminal offense or penalizes a person who indulges in prostitution. 

The court also added that an adult woman has the fundamental right to choose her profession.

The High Court, therefore, ordered the release of the three women kept in the detention centres, saying they could not detain them against their will.

While ordering their release, Justice Chavan said, "There is no provision in the law that criminalizes prostitution or punishes a person because s/he indulges in prostitution."

"The victims being major, their fundamental rights to move from one place to another place or to reside at a place of their choice and choose their vocation has to be considered."

"They cannot be subjected to unnecessary detention contrary to their wish and should be asked to reside in the corrective institution," Justice Chavan held.