Mumbai women raise stink over police apathy, demand action

Women from all walks of life who’ve suffered police harassment came together to voice their dissent in a public hearing against the police on Friday.

The hearing, organised by the women’s group Awaaz-e-Niswaan, took place at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh.

A woman at the hearing said, “My husband was booked under MCOCA for a blast case and not released. One day, they said he was released but they were lying. When we approached them again, they refused to entertain us and even hit our children.”

Raisa from Powai described a mother’s worst nightmare. “My 16-year-old daughter was taken to the police station, hit by policemen and women and made to strip. They insisted she confess to a false charge of pick pocketing. When she refused to enter a room alone with a senior inspector, they threatened her,” she said.

According to activist Shama Dalwai, the police shows complete disregard for the law. “The problem with the police is that instead of maintaining law and order, they maintain only order. Earlier, constables were charged of rape. Now you have senior officers involved. There is need for more training, counselling and punishment,” she said.

Another victim, Fatema from Bandra revealed, “My husband hits me everyday. One day, I went bleeding to the police station and they said it is not a big deal. They fooled me saying FIRs are filed in court. Now my in-laws trouble me and hit me even more.”

“The mindset of the police that marriage is a sacred institution that needs to be preserved must be broken,” said women’s rights activist Anagha Sarpotdar.

Present at the hearing was deputy commissioner of police Bharati Kurade. “People should insist on stricter sections like 306 in cases of domestic violence. With respect to allegations, we give reports to seniors and also ask for compliance reports,” she said.

Some of the stories that unfolded at the hearing were chilling. Saba from Mumbra spoke about her brother and sister who were picked up from home on false theft charges. “My sister was hit so badly that she died later due to internal injuries. Do they even hit Kasab like that?” she asked the gathering.

R Shirsath, assistant registrar of the state human rights commission said, “We are taking up police training programmes and including human rights in the courses.” Activists however, demanded that stricter punishment be meted and suspension as disciplinary action be removed as it’s ineffective. “Instead, we want that no sanction be required to prosecute or charge a police officer,” said human rights lawyer Mihir Desai.