The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has recommended the establishment of special branches or "mini-police stations" for women and children in every police station across the state, following the Badlapur sexual assault case. The unit will focus on swift action, through investigations, and effective implementation of laws to protect women and children.
Susieben Shah, Chairperson of the MSCPCR, has shared a detailed plan to address an alleged delay in registering a crime. She addressed a press conference and mentioned, "Currently, police stations have Women's Help Desks, Special Juvenile Police Units, and Child Welfare Police Officers. However, these units are not dedicated solely to addressing complaints from women and children, often leading to the unavailability of trained personnel when needed. Officers in these units are frequently assigned to other duties, causing delays in registering and investing complaints."
She added that the Crime Branch units in police stations are dedicated to investigating crimes efficiently, and the role of the police in the Badlapur sexual assault case was 'notably controversial', with a female senior officer showing a lack of sensitivity in registering the FIR.
The Chairperson further stated, "Considering that women and children constitute 70 per cent of the country's population, we cannot exclude such a significant demographic from the process of justice and security. It is crucial to establish a dedicated unit similar to the Crime Branch in every police station for registering and investigating crimes against women and children."
She assures that a specialized branch under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership can effectively handle cases of crimes against women and children, ensuring smooth registration and investigation.
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