SC TO REVISIT ITS VERDICT ON ARRESTS FOR DOWRY

Rights’ body says previous order doesn’t protect women

Observing that it was not in agreement with an earlier order imposing restrictions on police to arrest persons in dowry related cases, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to revisit this order passed in July.

Giving a series of guidelines, the apex court in July ordered setting up of family welfare committee in each district. Any dowry related complaint should be referred to this committee, which will call the parties in person, make enquires and submit a report to the magistrate concerned and till then no arrests of husband or in laws should be made.

Observing that it was not in agreement with an earlier order imposing restrictions on the police to arrest persons in dowry related cases, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to revisit this order passed in July this year.

Giving a series of guidelines, the apex court in July ordered setting up of family welfare committee in each district. Any dowry-related complaint should be referred to this panel, which will call the parties in person, make enquiries and submit a report and till then no arrests should be made.

Nyayadhar, a ladies organisation opposed these directions and sought modification. It was pointed out that a when a woman goes to the police station to make a complaint against her husband and other relations takes a risk to fight with society at large. Hence Section 498A of IPC is usually her last resort.

It was submitted that senseless deprivation of life and liberty of women could not be dealt with through soft sanctions alone. Though values of equality and non-discrimination may have to gain deeper roots through other social measures, the need to give valuable protection to vulnerable sections of women cannot be negated.

The CJI said, “We are not in agreement with the earlier judgment diluting the rigour of Section 498A. We think it curtails the rights of women.” The bench issued notice to the Centre and sought response by October 30.