Earlier, during the hearing on April 24, the then Assistant Solicitor General of India had apprised the court that the provisions of the statute were being amended, and a new Section 5-C would be incorporated in the Act providing for punishment to customers as well.

The amended Bill was introduced in the Parliament and after a study by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, now the Bill has been presented in Rajya Sabha.

The observations and recommendations made by the committee are being examined by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice.

At that stage, the petitioner had submitted that the proposed provisions relating to the new Section 5-C were not before the court, and requested the court to get the copy of the draft Bill.

Accepting the request, the High Court had directed the Central government to produce the Draft Amendment Bill before the court on the next date of hearing.

Today during hearing of the case, a copy of the proposed Bill was placed before the court. On perusing the proposed amendment by adding a new Section 5-C, the petitioner has stated that his grievance stands substantially redressed and he does not press his petition further.