In the case of the Shakti Mills rape incident, here is what follows.
While Mumbai police flew to the spot following the gang-rape of 23-year-old photojournalist in Mahalaxmi, reporters and press crews also crowded the south Mumbai mill. Among the hordes of busy investigators is a team from the National Commission for Women that flew down to the city as per government regulations.
The commission's domain includes any and all complaints that women victims in the country face. “We look into education, health, sanitation, reservation and also criminal cases,” says Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, in a telephone interview from New Delhi. Prabhavalkar, an appointed member of the NCW, is the chairperson of the inquiry committee.
The NCW usually responds to complaints filed by victims on their online portal.
Third party complaints are also addressed and state branches forward significant cases as well. In this case the commission decided to pursue the matter suo moto, since it had already made it to news headlines.
The inquiry committee can include up to five members. In this particular case the committee consists of Prabhavalkar, an advocate, an IPS official and a psychologist. On the basis of her spot investigation Prabhavalkar submitted a report to the authorities of the NCM. Recommendations followed that include appointing a woman police officer, prosecutor and judge.
The report will also include recommendations to the Maharashtra CM about how to take the case forward, legal aid for the victim and notes about the ongoing police investigation. “We monitor the work of the police to make sure they are doing their job. We also talk to witnesses separately and visit the spot,” explains Prabhavalkar who has previously worked on the Bhandara rape-murder case that involved three minor sisters in rural Maharashtra.
The next step for the commission would include putting pressure on the state authorities to fast-track the case and ensure law authorities makes arrests.
However, in the Shakti Mills case, arrests have already been made.
Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, a member of the National Commission for Women is the chairperson of the inquiry committee for the recent gang rape case.
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