The panel led by Vijaya Rahatkar is known for taking up cases which are in the media glare
In the light of a Byculla jail inmate's death, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (SCW) took a stand and summoned prison officials seeking details about the incident. However, those privy to the commission's functioning did not expect much to be done in the case.
The panel led by Vijaya Rahatkar is known for taking up cases which are in the media glare. However, most cases never reach any logical conclusion. There are around 4,000 pending cases of atrocities against women which exposes the panel's inefficiency and is criticised by observers.
Women and Child Development Minister, Pankaja Munde, has also been a victim of this lax approach. The commission took up Munde's case last April in which NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik had allegedly referred to the minister as a 'daruwali bai' (drunk lady) in a public meeting. After several hearings, Malik was summoned and ordered to tender an apology to the minister. However, he chose not to turn up and also refused to apologise.
Eventually, in February this year the Rahatkar-led panel ordered the Mumbai police to register an FIR against the NCP leader under sections 187/188 and section 499 of the Indian Penal code.
The FIR is yet to be registered, thanks to red-tapism. The panel stands accused of not pursuing the matter even as it concerns a sitting minister.
Malik in 2016 at a public meeting in Beed had reportedly said, "We had great leaders like Mrinal Gore who fought all her life for ensuring water for people. People nicknamed her 'paniwalli bai'. Whereas, here we have Pankaja Munde who is siding with the breweries industry and will be remembered as 'Daruwali bai'."
The commission summoned him many times and directed him to apologise. But Malik neither deposed nor apologised. In his written response to the commission, he had stated, "Munde is in the breweries business and hence calling her a "Daruwali bai" is not an insult. I will never apologise."
Defiant Malik had even charged the commission's chairperson and Munde, both BJP leaders, for misusing their official positions to implicate him. He had also challenged Munde to seek legal remedy if she really thought that she was insulted by him.
Rahatkar blamed the Mumbai police for delaying the case. "We had asked the police to register an FIR against Malik this February. After that we received a call from Kherwadi police station. The cops asked us to file an FIR. We can't do so as the panel can only recommend the police to take action. The police commissioner's office must take cognisance of this case," she claimed.
The Mumbai police on the other hand, blamed the commission for not registering the FIR despite three reminders to do so.
Rashmi Karandikar, DCP (operations) and PRO of Mumbai police, said, "We had issued three reminders to the commission in the last three months asking them to file an FIR. The commission members, the member secretary or any other officer can come down to Kherwadi police station to complete the formality."
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