Telangana, Andhra cops lethargic in dealing with crime against women: Sr advocate
HYDERABAD: Condemning the lethargic attitude of police personnel of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in dealing with cases of domestic violence, senior advocate Gopala Krishna Kalanidhi demanded the governments of both the states to constitute a panel comprising senior judges to decide whether the complaints are maintainable for further probe.
Speaking to media, Gopala Krishna on Sunday said he has been dealing with around 300 cases of various offences against women, in which the police investigation was improper and was almost a one-sided probe. The cases of domestic violence, generally investigated by a sub-inspector rank officer, are given least priority and unless senior police officers are alerted about the lapses, the investigation does not go further, he alleged. Despite the gravity of the cases, the investigators delay in registering FIRs and illegally detain the complainants especially women, he added.
Referring to a case related to Cyberabad police commissionerate, the advocate alleged, “A woman software engineer had been to Madhapur police station to lodge a complaint against her husband who was harassing and abusing her physically. The personnel at the police station detained the woman as if she was the accused. Upon learning about the incident, the issue was taken up with the senior officials, who then directed the concerned personnel to release the techie.”
A woman software engineer from Rachakonda commissionerate said that around two years ago she had developed friendship with her colleague, who pursued it further on the pretext of love. One day, she recollects, she was taken to a private place where she was forced to consume some soft drink laced with sedatives and was raped. “I got pregnant and my colleague promised to marry me but he again took me to a clinic in Nizampet and aborted my pregnancy. Now he has married another woman, but still the police did not look into the case,” said the victim.
Similarly, another victim from Vijayawada, who married a techie working in Gachibowli, said that her husband and in-laws harassed her and she was not allowed to enter their house as she delivered a girl child. “When I delivered a baby girl, my husband and in-laws did not allow me to enter the house. But, after a lot of drama, they allowed. When I conceived for the second time, they forced me to abort. However, I was not ready for it and I gave birth to a boy. This time, my husband abandoned me claiming that I did not obey his orders. It has been five years and I have no clue about him. The case registered at Medchal police station is still pending,” she said.
The advocate said that he has proofs in support of the allegations.“My proposal is in resonance with the judgements of various High Courts and also the Supreme Court,” he said. He also suggested a new system where victims can complain online, which shall be then reviewed by a panel of retired High Court Judges.
Meanwhile, victims of domestic violence and dowry harassment, hailing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh alleged that police officers of sub inspector rank, who investigate the cases, have been rude and partial towards the accused.
What the numbers say in Telangana
13,448 cases registered during 2015 under crime against women
2,448 cases Cyberabad with 2,448 cases ranked first in registering highest number of cases of Crime against Women during 2015 followed by Hyderabad (1,822), Karimnagar (1,498) and Nalgonda (1,341)
Cyberabad accounted for highest number of cases under the head of dowry deaths (57) followed by Medak (37) and Karimnagar (29) during 2015
Cyberabad ranked first in incidence of crime under dowry harassment (1,438) followed by Hyderabad City (1,214) and Karimnagar (728)
Mahbubnagar registered highest number of (72) cases under Murder of Women followed by Khammam (40) and Cyberabad (38)
* Source: State Crime Records Bureau, 2015