 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 20: The World Women Awakening Organization (WWAO) celebrated National Thinking Day (Chintan Divas) at MIER in collaboration with Shrimati Shanti Gupta Centre for Women's Studies by organising a thought-provoking panel discussion on the topic "Amending Section 498A of IPC. Ms. Bala Jyoti, Senior Rtd. District and Sessions Judge, and Mr Subash Gupta, Rtd. District and Sessions Judge, J&K, were the panellists.
Dr. Bharti Tandon, Convener, Centre for Women's Studies, warmly welcomed esteemed panellists, the moderator Adv. Deepali Arora, Joint Secy. WWAO, Dr. Renu Gupta, President WWAO, Mrs. Veenu Khanna, Vice President, Mrs. Shashi Sharma, Treasurer, esteemed advisory committee members of the Jammu Chapter and Mrs. Rupa Gupta, Director Centre for Women's Studies, and faculty of both the school and college and esteemed members and guests.
The session was moderated by Advocate Deepali Arora, Joint Secretary of WWAO. The panel discussion revisited Section 498A, which was introduced in 1983 to protect married women from cruelty, including physical and mental harassment and demands for dowry. Panellists emphasised that Section 498A was enacted to address the rising cases of domestic violence and dowry harassment against married women, providing them with legal recourse and protection.
However, the panel also acknowledged growing concerns over the misuse of the law, where false complaints have been filed, causing undue harassment to innocent parties. This misuse has raised questions about the need for safeguards to prevent wrongful accusations while still protecting genuine victims. The discussion highlighted the need for a balanced approach that upholds the laws while incorporating checks to prevent misuse. Suggestions included stricter scrutiny during investigations and faster resolution of cases to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
In her presidential address, Dr Renu Gupta, Chairperson, MIER and President of WWAO, summarised the recommendations based on discussions and interactions, i.e., the importance of mandatory preliminary inquiries before filing cases, ending automatic arrests and providing bailable offence in specific situations, the penalty for filing false complaints, and strengthening mediation mechanisms. She further advocated for gender-neutral legal provisions to ensure equitable legal protection for both genders and ensure necessary modification in a timely manner.
The event concluded with the presentation of mementoes to the esteemed panellists. Mrs. Veenu Khanna, Vice President WWAO, delivered a formal vote of thanks, followed by a group photograph. |
