‘My website intends to reach domestic violence victims in need of legal help’

Advocate Lalit Bhandari, who has been practising since 2007, has won many cases filed under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. At present he is handling more than 50 cases under the Act.

Bhandari, who hails from Malharpeth, a small village in Sangli district, has done his LLB from Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Yashwantrao Chavan Law College in Karad. He also has a diploma in corporate law from the Symbiosis Law School. Bhandar has developed www.domesticviolencehelpline.com and www.dvhindia.com and set up a helpline: 9423827818 to provide legal assistance to victims of domestic violence. He spoke with DNA about his website and future plans.

Whose idea was it to develop the website and the helpline? What is the motive behind it?
The idea to launch the website was mine, as I wanted to help victims of domestic violence. My efforts were supported by Deepak Palande and other colleagues from related fields to provide
in-depth and relevant assistance to the victims. The aim of this website is to reach all the innocent people, who are in need of guidance and legal expertise.

There are many websites for victims of domestic violence. What is unique about yours?
We not only reach people in need of help, but also provide timely
assistance. We respond within 24 hours of receiving the call for help.
Besides, we have professional counsellors from different fields, apart from legal professionals, on our team to provide relevant counselling.

What is your jurisdiction?
Basically, we have jurisdiction in Maharashtra, but after launching the website and helpline we have received calls and emails from
outside Maharashtra also. However, we can provide legal assistance to some jurisdictions within India through mails or calls only.

How do you help a victim?
After hearing the victim’s case we analyse what best course the person can take. For example, in case of discord between couples, we suggest counselling. We provide free counselling and legal advice to such couples.

What is your method of work?
We first listen to the victims and analyse their situation. Depending on the scenario, we come up with a solution. So, basically our procedure varies from one situation to another.
In case of family discord, we provide counselling sessions, but in desperate situations we advice them to go for legal action and protect themselves. The services provided by the website / helpline are free of charge.

What kind of legal support do you provide?
We provide help to the victims at individual level. We provide legal
advice, and if we come to the conclusion that someone is in genuine need of legal help, we suggest names of advocates who are on the panel, for fighting a case. We also take help from Lokadalat, Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and mediators.