For the keeps

Working on the same lines is the ‘Public Complaint Centre’,which has know come to be known as the ‘specialist’ in addressing the growing marital disputes among the Muslims. Located in the bylanes of Pydhonie in South Mumbai,the centre is run by a trust called the Bombay Social Service,since 1986,when it was first formed only to address to civic issues of residents in the area. However,with the increasing number of marital dispute cases pouring in,it has began to concentrate more on them now a days.

Abdul Razzak Maniyar,chief organiser of the centre,says: “There has been a huge increase in number of marital cases in the last five years. Now,we have cases of just married couples to those married for few years. These young couple don’t understand the sanctity of marriage and want to separate for petty reasons. Here we step in to resolve their issues,just like a school teacher guides their students in solving complex math problems”.

The centre is open to all communities but most of the cases that come here are of Muslims. It’s a weekly service,open for people on every Friday evenings. It provides legal help to all absolutely free of cost. A complainant has to only get a cardboard file in which all his future correspondence is stored and kept in the center’s office. Once a person files a complainant,a panel of four lawyers and Maniyar listens to them and as per the problem,provides advice. If required,the four lawyers on the panel issue a notice to the husband or the wife,to be present at the centre,for hearing,on a given date.