Telangana State:
On the eve of International Campaign on Violence against Women Dalit Sthree Sakthi organiseda Round Table Conference on the inter and intra community violence against Dalit Adivasi Women and Girl Children on25/11/2019 at Round Table Conference Hall,Madina Education Centre, Nampally, Hyderabad.
Jury kit with all details of the 28 casespertaining to offences including rape, abetment to suicide, cheating, sexual exploitation, land encroachment, caste abuse, mental harassment, gang rape,domestic violence and murder etc were discussed case by case after victims disposed of their harrowing experiences. Some cases like Triveni and Renuka have been awaiting justice for more than a decade also discussed this RTC. A panel comprising of Nalini Raghu Raman – Political Economy Advisor at the British Deputy High Commission,Former Indian Ambassador Vinod Kumar IFS, Dr Siddoji Rao Convener of SC/ST IAS, IPS Officers forum, P Y Giri, DCP Crimes of Rachaconda Commissionerate, J Sailaja, Additional Director, SC Development Department, Naga Laxmi, SP – CID Department and Intellectuals of different paths, DHRDs, CSOs, Women Collective leaders, Dalit women activists, sympathisers of Dalit women cause from various walks of life heard the grievances of the victims and witnesses.
Andhra Pradesh:
Similarly, on the eve of International Campaign on Violence against Women Dalit Sthree Sakthi organised a Round Table Conference on Violence against Dalit Adivasi Women and Girl Children on 10/12/2019 at Ambedkar Bhavan, Vijayawada.
30 cases of victims and witnesses narrated their agony before the Jury. Casespertaining to offences including kidnap and rape, abetment to suicide, cheating, sexual exploitation, land encroachment, caste abuse, mental harassment, gang rapes, attempt to murder, attacks, murders etc were discussed case by case, and the Jury payed attention to the harrowing experience of the victims and witnesses.
Jury consisted of Sri Muddada Ravi Chandra IAS, Principal Secretary – Social Welfare Department; Sri Vasireddy Padma – Chairperson – State Women Commission; Suez, Director - State Women Commission; Sri Byra Koteswara Rao, Director of Prosecutions; Sri Ram Chandar, Joint Director – SWD, Dr Siddoji Rao, Convener – SC, ST IAS/IPS Officers Forum, Heads of different Organisations, Advocates. The victims of atrocities poured out their woes infront of the Jury and the media which broke the hearts of the Jury.
Jhansi Geddam, National Convener and GDV Prakash, National Program Manager of DSS explained to the Jury about each case and the penal and pecuniary lapses, and the action to be taken.
The violations put forth before the jury are as follows:
Registration of the case is delayed giving scope for forcible compromiseFIR not registered with proper sections
Not sent for medical treatment., purposefully delayed in rape cases also
Delay in investigation
More than 70% of the cases registered in 2016 by quoting the old sections
Police deliver the summons to the victims and witnesses at nick of the time
Most of the PPs are reluctant in giving orientation
PPs are over loaded with other cases
There are occasions the PPs doesn’t file written arguments
PPs give scope for defence advocates and compromise
Trial not conducted at a stretch and many adjournments are given
Atrocity cases are not priority for designated special courts
TA & DA not paid to the victims and witnesses
High courts giving stays and not vacating the cases years together
Social Welfare department has failed to coordinate the departments
Immediate relief, compensation and rehabilitation not paid on time
C Section do not have the perspective and humiliate the victims seeking compensation.
Responses from the Jury:
The statutory monitoring committees at respective levels need to function effectively and will be convened as per schedule.
SWD as the nodal agency will ensure coordination and cooperation between all the concerned departments.
The sensitization of all the staff of the concerned departments will be taken up
Regular review meetings between prosecution and police department will be held to over come the gaps.
AP government is serious on the increased violence against women and girl children and therefore brought a new enactment DISHA Act to complete the whole penal process and pronounce judgement within 21 days from the day of occurrence of the incident.
Recommendations by the Jury:
To establish Exclusive Special Courts
To appoint Special Public Prosecutors
The District and State level Vigilance and Monitoring Committees to function
effectively
The information about the SC/ST (PoA) Amendment Act be placed in the Government Website
The periodical reports on the implementation of the SC/ST (PoA) Act be placed in website for public view
To give training to the Police and the other concerned departments on the SC/ST
(PoA) Amendment Act
Refresher training to Judges on SC/ST (PoA) Amendment Act
To establish special cells for the implementation of the Rights of Victims and
Witnesses
To take action U/s 4 on the police officers for not registering the cases with
appropriate sections
The investigation Officer to keep informed the victim on the progress in
investigation
The Investigation Officers to file memos in the Special Courts on the delay in
Investigation
The accused to be presented before Special Courts only for judicial remand
To provide relief, compensation and rehabilitation immediately.
PCR Cell to closely monitor the implementation of the Act.