HC slams Maha: Ram Rajya for women in state only on paper

In an embarrassment to the Maharashtra government, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday observed that on papers it looks like ‘Ram Rajya’ prevails in the state but in reality the situation is different. The observation was made in connection with the status of security and safety of women in public places.

A Division Bench of Justice Rajendra Savant and Justice Sadhana Jadhav came down heavily on the government for its failure in providing ‘safe atmosphere’ to women across the state. The judges, hearing a suo moto PIL that was taken up in 2012 owing to the rise in cases of eve teasing and sexual assault cases in public places and offices, said there is a need for ‘sensitising’ all public places, police officials regarding this issue.

The Bench was informed that the government has started some helpline numbers for women in emergency and has also given it a wide publicity especially in trains. The judges were also apprised that the government has increased police patrolling in public places.

Irked by the submissions, Justice Jadhav said, “It appears you have given publicity to the numbers only in trains and not in other modes of public transport like taxis, cabs etc. Especially in rickshaws as travelling in it has become a hazard, owing to the recent instances wherein one woman was thrown out of the running vehicle.”

“On papers everything looks like Ram Rajya but we cannot see anything being actually implemented for the safety of women. Police especially women officers need to be sensitised over this issue,” Justice Jadhav added.

Justice Savant cited the recent death of a woman near Marine Drive. “Which patrolling are you speaking about? I have never seen a jeep of police that you claim is patrolling there. A woman died at Marine Drive, wasn’t there any patrolling at that time?”

“There are still issues of eve teasing in public places. We think you should make serious efforts on patrolling because there are instances when the general public cannot easily interfere and rescue a girl, who is being teased,” Justice Savant said.

The judges then directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to file a detailed affidavit spelling out the steps the state proposes to take on this issue. The affidavit would also state the steps, government would take to direct the private sector to adopt measures in work places.