Need for training to improve case investigations: Study

The perpetrators of domestic violence continue to go scot-free for lack of clinching evidence against them and inaccurate investigation reports,according to a study by the Ahmedabad Womens Action Group.

The perpetrators of domestic violence (Section 498A of the IPC) continue to go scot-free for lack of clinching evidence against them and inaccurate investigation reports,according to a study by the Ahmedabad Womens Action Group (AWAG).

The study is based on analysis of 22 judgments delivered by the Gujarat High Court between 2006 and 2011.

AWAG,a registered society set up in 1981 in Ahmedabad to raise voice against domestic violence,has already brought out two similar studies spread over 1990-1995 and 1996-2005.

The first was done by its founder and president Ila Pathak and the second by its member Monica Patel.

The latest study has been done by young UK-based lawyer Shuchi Desai,who hails from the city.

Ahead of a seminar on domestic violence,Desai said the study would be forwarded to the High Court judges besides presenting it to the Supreme Court along with similar studies done in Andhra Pradesh and Delhi high courts.

The emphasis is on the alleged lukewarm police attitude in collecting sufficient evidence,reluctance of witnesses in giving testimony and silence of relatives of the victim. It says that police just saying that a woman suffered beatings does not present the true picture.

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Desai said there was barely an improvement in the situation and the number of unnatural deaths or suicides due to emotional and physical torture showed no major decline between 1995 and 2005. The figures post 2005 till 2011 are yet to be complied.

The study recommends adoption of a thorough strategy to ensure that cases under section 498A are heard fully.

It also recommends a comprehensive training to improve the case investigation and increase levels of accountability to prevent carelessness in investigations.

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Gujarat High Court

Need for training to improve case investigations: Study

The perpetrators of domestic violence continue to go scot-free for lack of clinching evidence against them and inaccurate investigation reports,according to a study by the Ahmedabad Womens Action Group.

The perpetrators of domestic violence continue to go scot-free for lack of clinching evidence against them and inaccurate investigation reports,according to a study by the Ahmedabad Womens Action Group.