Court asks Maharashtra to act on AIDS issue

Four hundred and seven people who visit prostitutes are affected by AIDS every day in Bombay, a figure that translates to over 148,500 sufferers a year, according to a report submitted by the Maharashtra health services directorate to the Bombay high court.

The high court took serious note of the report and asked the state government to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

Bombay's 30,000 prostitutes, many of who are HIV-positive, deal with about 270 million customers a year. The high court also took serious note of a news report alleging that prostitutes carrying HIV virus were forced to keep working and sought that serious note be taken of those involved in this illegal trade.

The high court has also ordered the rehabilitation of 473 minor girls rescued from red light areas in Bombay.

Compiled by Prasanna D Zorey from the Marathi press

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