Maintaining victims’ morale through lengthy trials a challenge: Cops

Assistant commissioner of police (Chatuhshrungi division) Smita Patil said, “There has been a significant change in the perspective of all hierarchies of the police department towards cases of crimes against women. And it is a result of coordinated efforts in that direction. But one of the most important challenges before us is keeping up the fighting spirit of the victims in such cases. This challenge is there right from the stage of registering the FIR to trial in the court. At all these stages the victims face all types of problems ranging from economic constraints to pressure from the accused. In the cases where the accused is a relative of the victim, she has to fight the battle within the family too.”

A senior woman police officer who has worked with the women’s grievance redressal cell of Pune police said, “The longer the period of the legal battle, more are the chances of victim taking a step back. Many times the victims and their family members are not ready to come forward and file a case. As per the law, a woman officer takes the statement of the victim. If the police need to visit the house, they only do it in plainclothes and regular counseling provided to them. These norms are followed stringently, especially if the victim is a minor.”

The officer added, “It so happens many times that the girls come to the age of marriage, when the court case is on. The families then want the girl to get married and withdraw the case or stop taking interest in the process. Now there are fast-track courts for the crimes against women and we need more of them where these cases are heard frequently.”

An officer from Vimantal police station, which is investigating a case of molestation by a school vice principal, said, “While many such cases do not get reported in the first place or are reported late, there are many others that do not reach logical conclusion just because the legal process takes an inordinately long time.”