International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc.

[IAIJ]

Middle agencies causing delay in the disposal of cases! - Victims of domestic violence



By Paul Jagan Babu



“We are crying for justice and upset over official apathy. We have been in and out of courts for years for justice. What can we do for the inordinate delay in the disposal of cases, except facing lengthy court trials? Often cases are being adjourned if the accused do not turn up. On one pretext or other the cases are adjourned. We are unable to bear the expenses”.

These are the own words of victims of domestic violence in rural AP. It is a common observation in the cases of domestic violence. According to some pro-woman organizations, many cases are going unreported to police and courts as social stigma attached to it. Some cases filed under the act of domestic violence through the governmental middle agencies (intended for speedy disposal of cases) are on a lengthy trial and this bureaucratic manner is undermining the very purpose of cases often. Even some legal experts blame the loopholes in the existing procedure for such delays!

With regards to an isolated incident, recently the local court judge has cautioned the middle governmental agency in Kadapa District for not serving the summons to the accused, as he has not turned up for the trials ever since case started, on pretext that the middle agency has not served the summons to him. On the contrary the middle agency was reiterating that the accused had not received the summons saying that the address was wrong. The reason for the caution is the victim has suffered for 16 years in the hands of the accused without approaching police or court. Adding fuel to the fire, the official apathy is playing with her sordid tale. This is where the victim has been upset over official apathy of the middle agency and facing problems a lot. The plight of the victim is revealing the inconvenient truth in the operative mechanism of the middle agencies and disposal of cases! The tale of many victims is similar. Who to blame? Who will come to their aid? Speedy justice still seems to be a distant dream to the victims!

The latest reports say that the government of Andhra Pradesh is dealing with such issues very tough and is more successful in bringing down the disturbing statistics of cases, when compared with that of other states. But, it is being blamed because of the middle agencies laxity. Now the victims are demanding that the government should streamline the existing mechanism of the middle agencies by imposing time-bound targets and conducting grievance cells for them to supply the honest feedback so that the blocks will be cleared for speedy trials. Despite the civil societies are condemning and combating, the result is not to the extent expected! And the existing inoperative mechanism is our curse, they are expressing strongly.

According to Sicilian Proverb, the concerned authorities and officials should recognize that ‘Justice that is pending is injustice attending’ and they should put an end to their negligence and act professionally in the government-established-system by raising confidence in the victims. In addition, they should seriously note that the ‘loopholes in the system are the blessings in disguise to the accused’. This is the tacit and real tragedy to be dealt with ruthlessly.