The Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government when it was implementing the recommendations given by Dharmadhikari committee on women's safety.
The court was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation based on a news report that highlighted the plight of a woman who was molested while traveling on a local train from Vashi early in the morning. Her complaint was not registered by the railway police.
A division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Ajey Gadkari expressed displeasure at the government for taking a long time to decide on implementing the recommendations given in five interim reports.
Of the 144 recommendations in the interim reports, the government has already accepted 109 recommendations. Remaining 35 recommendations are still under consideration by the government. Twenty-one other recommendations which include amendments to existing provisions of law have been sent to the Special Task Force (STF) for consideration. The STF has been specifically formed by the government to consider the recommendations.
Rajiv Chavan, counsel for the petitioner, informed HC that the government has extended the Dharmadhikari committee's tenure till November 11, which is jot sufficient. "The committee still has to submit a comprehensive report based on its five interim reports. Hence the tenure needs to be extended," argued Chavan.
Justice Oka remarked that the tenure extended was not enough for the committee to compile a comprehensive report.
The HC has asked the government to inform by November 11 whether it is extending the committee's tenure.
Chavan further informed HC that the helpline started by the government has not been given wide publicity. However, government pleader denied the claim and said that they have received 2,933 complaints since starting of the helpline and of these 2,928 have already been disposed of.
The HC has asked the government whether it maintains a register of the complainants. "You should maintain a register and also update the complaint about the status of her complaint," said justice Oka.
The HC has kept the petition for hearing on November 11.
Recommendations accepted by government include blocking and keeping a vigil on indecent websites. Necessary circulars were issued to every police station.
Students coming from foreign countries are being watched with regards to their behaviour.
Victims of rape will be provided free medical aid.
With regards to representation of women, a state-level cable television monitoring committee has been constituted, along with 33 district-level ones.
The state has also accepted the recommendation with regards to fast-tracking of cases of atrocities on mentally-handicapped women and children.
All police stations have been informed not to arrest women, children and senior citizens at night.
Women-aid centres are established at police stations. A committee has also been established with regards to confidential reports.
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