Udupi DC warns cops against neglecting crimes against women

Udupi, Jul 21: Urging the cops to consider the crimes against women seriously, deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis has warned that she would recommend to the Home Department to take action against erring police staff if they showed negligence in registering such cases.

Chairing a meeting of various committees under the Department of Women and Child Welfare at the District Offices Complex, here, on Friday said that it was the duty of the cops to give justice victims.

The warning comes after the members of the Mahila Santwana Kendra brought up the issue of negligence by the police in registering such cases.

She said that an awareness campaign should be taken up under the Santwana Scheme in degree and pre-university colleges.

The meeting was informed that 181 cases were registered under the Santwana Scheme in Udupi from January to June, 2018. Of these, 65 had been disposed of. Of the 80 cases filed in Karkala, 25 had been disposed, while 55 were pending. Of the 91 cases filed in Kundapur, 34 were disposed, while 57 were pending.

The meeting was informed that of the 88 cases registered at the Sakhi One Stop Centre from January to June, 2018, 22 had been solved, while 64 were pending and two were under counselling. As many as 10 cases were filed under the Anti-Dowry Act. Of these 10 cases, three were in the courts, while seven were pending with the police department.

The DC also directed the Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare, Gracy Gonsalves, to write to her higher officers to increase the salaries of the staff working in the Santwana Kendra.