UPSWC chief gets a taste of reality during Mahila Thana inspection

LUCKNOW: It was the turn of UP State Women’s Commission (UPSWC) chairperson Vimla Batham to acquaint herself, first hand, with the behaviour of police personnel towards complainants, during her inspection of the Women’s Police Station of Lucknow on Thursday.

“Police officials use derogatory language against me and my family members for perusing my case. Nobody is ready to hear my case. Do they want me to end my life?” shouted a woman who has accused a police constable of rape and dowry harassment. The woman went on to accuse the police of taking a lax approach in handling her case.

The exclamation forced Batham to halt her inspection. She consoled the woman and took her inside the office of the female Station House Officer (SHO). “I have heard her case and directed the SHO to ensure action in this matter,” said Batham. “I have further asked the officials to remain decent while dealing with female complainants. The commission will also send an advisory to all police personnel posted at women’s police station to ensure this,” she added.

Along with two other members, Batham reached the Women’s Police Station in the afternoon to take stock of the situation. SHO Sharda Chaudhary escorted the chairperson and her team and briefed them about the working there. The team saw the reception area, the computer room where FIRs are registered and the mediation room. Batham pointed out the lack of a counselling room where the victim and her relatives could be counselled, as required in case pertaining to a family dispute. “We will write to the state women and child development ministry for the construction of a counselling room on the premises,” she said.

She further pointed out the need for refurbishing the existing premises and for making it ‘welcoming’ for victims. “I have suggested putting up boards with information about the rights of the victim inside the premises. This will also motivate them to pursue their case,” Batham said.

The team later visited the Forensic Science Laboratory. “Our objective of visiting FSL was to understand work done there and request officials to expedite investigation pertaining to women,” Batham said. “The officials assured that the investigation is done while securing the identity of the victim and there is no chance of manipulating the final report,” she said.