Maharashtra Child Rights panel recommends dedicated unit to handle crimes against women and children

Mumbai: In the aftermath of the Badlapur sexual assault case, 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.

This development came in the wake of an alleged delay in registering the crime by the police in Badlapur. Chairperson Susieben Shah shared a detailed plan in this regard during a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Addressing the press conference, Shah said, "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 investigating complaints."

She said that the Crime Branch units in police stations are exclusively reserved for investigating crimes, ensuring that officers are not diverted to other duties and that their sole responsibility is to investigate and solve crimes efficiently.

"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," Susieben Shah said.

She further said that the role of the police in the Badlapur sexual assault case was "notably controversial."

"Despite being a woman herself, the senior police inspector delayed registering the crime, showing a lack of sensitivity," she added.

Shah said that she believed that if a specialized branch is established, it will be possible to provide the necessary training to handle such cases effectively, ensuring the smooth registration and investigation of crimes against women and children.

Shah said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the state government has taken bold decisions for the safety and dignity of women. Therefore, the establishment of such a dedicated branch is feasible during this government's tenure, she added.

"We are recommending to the state government that they quickly establish these special branches in every police station. We will also advocate for specialized training for the officers working in these branches," Shah added.