HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION
1 In the year 2006(upto 30.11.2006), the 2641 cases, relating to the dowry and non-dowry torture, were registered. In the year 2005 and 2004, the similar registered cases, respectively, were 2269 and 2068. There is an increase of 16.3% in this crime compared to the last year. Of the 2641 cases registered in 2006, the 388 have been charge-sheeted, 4 ended in Final Report,4 cases were disposed of other wise. The remaining 2245 cases are pending for investigation of which 2047 cases are likely to be charge sheeted.The rising awareness among women for their rights and status is translating into the reporting of more and more cases of torture of women. Perhaps, this factor accounts for the rising trend of registration of such cases in the Police Stations. The Department has been receiving the notices from the National Human Rights. Commission and the Orissa State Human Rights Commission.
State Human Rights Protection Cell, Orissa a Specialized wing of the State Police Headquarters is dealing with crimes in respect of dowry and non-dowry torture against women, atrocity on Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and death in Police Custody. It acts as Nodal Agency for the National Human Rights Commission, Orissa State Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Women, Sate Commission for Women and National Commission for S.Cs/ S.Ts. Besides, all matters relating to human rights issues referred to State Police Headquarters are also dealt in State HRPC. Moreover, petitions relating to atrocity on Woman and members of S.Cs./ S.Ts. are either enquired into or monitored by the State HRPC. Grievances of public relating to the above issues are regularly heard and follow up action taken there on. State HRPC exercises control over all dowry related crimes and crime against S.C./S.T. In selected cases, it also assumes full control over investigation of dowry and S.C./S.T. related cases by its own officers. State HRPC also takes up investigation of all cases of death in police custody. The State HRPC gives necessary guidelines to the Districts Superintendents of Police for effective furnctioning of district HRPC which have been created in each district Headquarters of the State. A family Counselling Center of Social Advisory Board is attached to State HRPC to render counselling to the victims as well as accused persons in cases of dowry and non-dowry torture to restore their conjugal life.
2 INVESTIGATION TAKEN BY STATE HRPC:
During the year, 2006 State HRPC has taken up investigation of 14 cases of dowry related cases, out of which 5 cases have been chargesheeted and remaining 9 cases are pending investigation. The reasons of pendency are mostly arrest of some accused persons and non-receipt of C.E. reports.
3 GRIEVANCE CELL:
During the year 2006, 485 grievance petitions relating to torture on married women demanding dowry and atrocity on S.C./S.T. and other miscellaneous matter have been received in the State HRPC of which 95 petitions have been disposed of by taking appropriate legal action and remaining 390 petitions are pending for enquiry with the concerned district Superintendents of Police.
4 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION :
During the year 2006, 68 complaints have been received from the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi of which 56 petitions have been disposed of by taking appropriate action and the remaining 12 petitions are pending for enquiry with the concerned district Superintendents of Police. The State HRPC being the Nodal Agency is pursuing with different authorities to expedite action taken reports within the stipulated time fixed by the NHRC, New Delhi.
5 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE ORISSA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION:
During the year 2006, 30 complaints have been received from the Orissa Human Rights Commission, Bhubaneswar for enquiry. Out of which in 22 complaints action taken reports furnished by the District Superintendents of Police have been submitted to the O.H.R.C., Bhubaneswar and remaining 8 cases are pending.
6 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN :
During the year 2006, 103 petitions have been received from the Orissa State Commission for Women, Bhubaneswar of which 50 petitions have been disposed of and remaining 53 petitions are pending.
7 FAMILY COUNSELING CENTRE :
A Family Counselling Center has been attached to the HRPC with professional counselors appointed by the Social Welfare Advisory Board, Government of Orissa to settle up the family disputes and restore conjugal life by way of mutual understanding. During the year 2006, 94 complaints have been received in the Family Counselling Center as against 92 of the year 2005, out of which 64 complaints have been resolved amicably and remaining 30 cases are under process of settlement. All the district Superintendents of Police have also been instructed to look into this aspect in their District H.R.P.C.
8 MAHILA AND SISHU DESK :
The Government have decided to set up a Women & Child Desk in each Police Station in the State to provide legal redressal to the Women and child victims. By now Mahila and Sishu Desks have been set up in 210 Police Stations of the State. The Police personnel attached to such Desks have been provided sensitization training organized by the Home and W&C.D. Department, Bhubaneswar. So far 530 Police personnel have been sensitized.
21 Swadhar Homes, 33 Short stay Homes and 34 Family Counselling Centres are functioning in the State to provide redressal to the Women and Chidren at the time of their distress.
9 CASES RELATING TO DOWRY/ NON-DOWRY TORTURE :
During the year 2006 up to 30.11.2006, 2641 cases of dowry/ non-dowry torture have been reported in the State. Out of 2641 cases reported, 388 cases were charge-sheeted, 4 cases ended in F.R.T.(Final Report True), 4 cases were disposed of otherwise and remaining 2245 cases are pending investigation of which 2047 cases are likely to be charge-sheeted. The percentage of detection including the L.C.S. (Likely to be Charge Sheeted) cases comes to 92.5.
10 CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES ON SCs. & STs.
During the year 2006 up to 30.11.2006, 1349 cases of atrocity on SC/ST have been reported. Out of 1349 cases reported, 231 cases were charge-sheeted, 9 cases ended in FRT, 112 cases were other wise disposed of and remaining 997 cases are pending investigation of which 924 cases are likely to be charge-sheeted. The percentage of detection including the LCS cases comes to 93.3.