NCW accuses Orissa police of not registering cases

Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (PTI) National Commission for Women(NCW) today accused Orissa Police of not registering casesrelating to crimes against women even as such incidents weremany in the state.

This allegation was made by NCW chairperson GirijaVyas after reviewing situation of crime against women here.

"It is a matter of great concern that the police isnot registering cases relating to crime against women in thestate," Vyas told reporters adding that denial of registrationof FIR was itself a crime.

Stating that the Supreme Court had made it clear thatno one should be stopped from filing FIR, NCW chairpersonsaid "I told officers not to hide garbage under the carpet."

"We have to fight the situation out. Suppressing casesfor record sake will not solve the problem," she said addingthere had been steep rise in crimes against women across thecountry including Orissa.

Where FIRs were registered, police had not beenpursuing them seriously, resulting in acquittal of accusedpersons. "Law is not properly implemented here," she said.

"Surprisingly, the rate of FIR in the state is verylow," she pointed out stating that the NCW would soon drawattention of the government in this regard.

When contacted, director general of police (DGP)Manmohan Praharaj refused to comment.

Besides dowry related cases, trafficking of women wasanother major problem in the state as many of the victims fromOrissa were being rescued from different cities.

To a query, Vyas said NCW had signed an MoU with anorganisation for probe into trafficking cases. "Both policeand judiciary need to be sensitised in women related cases,for speedy trial and timely justice for victims," she said.

On rising female foeticide and non-implementation oflaw in this regard, she said there should be proper monitoringof cases in district level. There had not been a singleconviction in PNDT case in the state, she said.

Though many people were worried over misuse of section498 (A) (cruelty by husband or his relatives) of the IPC, Vyasdescribed it as a "Brahmastra" for safeguarding interest ofwomen.