JUDGMENT - Patel, J.

1. These revisional applications have been referred to the Bench as they involve the important question of the vires of Section 20 of the Suppression of Immoral Traffic In Women and Girls Act, 1956. In all these cases the Sub-Divisionai Magistrate, Sholapur Division, has directed that the petitioners who are alleged to be prostitutes should remove themselves front the town of Barsi and that they should go to Osmanabad Via Yedshi within three days from the date set by him.

2. Now, Section 20 of the Act enables the Magistrate to record the substance of the information received end issue a notice to the woman or girl residing In or frequenting any place within the local limits of his jurisdiction to show cause. Sub-section (3) says that if upon such inquiry it appears to the Magistrate that such woman or girl is a prostitute and that it is necessary in the interests of the general public that such woman or girl should be required to remove herself therefrom and be prohibited from re-entering the same, the Magistrate shall by order in writing direct her to remove herself from the place to such place whether within or without the local limits of his jurisdiction, by

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