Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 27: As the year 2019 comes to an end, the winter capital of newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed increase in the number of cases of domestic violence as 1700 complaints were lodged in current year here in the Women Cell, which were higher than the previous year.
As per official figures, in the year 2018, as many as 1665 complaints were lodged.
A senior police official added that by December 25, 1705 complaints were lodged by women including the newly married at Women Cell besides the male members also, facing alleged harassment in the hands of their better halves.
"As of now, 1700 complaints have been lodged in the Women Cell," Arti Thakur, Station House Officer, Women Cell Jammu said.
She added that still six days are left for 2019 to come to an end, around 40 to 50 complaints are expected to be lodged as on daily basis, 10 to 15 complaints of domestic violence are being received in the women cell.
The SHO added that out of total 1700 complaints received, 1376 were disposed off and 324 are still pending.
The lady officer further added that in the current month, 60 complaints were received out of which 23 were disposed off.
However, in 2018, all 1665 complaints lodged in the women cell, were disposed off and none remained pending.
Meanwhile, in the first half of the current year, the number of complaints received were 773, which were much higher as compared to first half of 2018.
"By June, 495 complaints were lodged in the cell," said the officer adding that lot many complaints are being received on daily basis but many of them are either not lodged in the complaint book or ignored as the cases are settled on the spot with compromise between both the parties.
She added that out of 773 complaints, 208 were disposed off only by counselling both the partners and their families, adding, "the pending cases were handled depending upon their sensitivity."
She further said that out of the total complaints lodged, FIRs were registered in 13 cases, which were to be settled in the Marital Court.
"On an average, we are receiving 10 to 12 complaints on daily basis and most of them are being settled on the spot but those, which are of serious nature, FIRs are registered and it is Court that settles the dispute later," added the SHO.
She however, also alleged that social media has become a major reason of domestic violence in view of rising number of "extra marital" affairs.
The lady officer added that the Jammu and Kashmir Police has also come up with a "women helpline" wherein the victims can register their complaints.
As per figures, in 2018, in the first half, 495 complaints were received, which are far less than the complaints received in first quarter of this year.
"Our first priority is peaceful settlement between both the parties and for that matter, lot many domestic disputes were being sorted out with the help of counselling," said Thakur.
She asserted that only those cases, which do not settle down amicably, are registered and referred to the Court for further action.
In the year, 2016-2017, as many as 747 cases of domestic violence were registered across the state.
In total 747 cases including 348 cases in 2016 and 399 cases in 2017 were registered for domestic violence in the state.
In 2016, 93 cases and in 2017, 65 cases were registered while Srinagar followed Jammu with 42 and 55 cases in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Leh and Kargil Districts of Ladakh Division recorded zero registration of Domestic violence cases in this period. |
