10,000 cases under Domestic Violence Act

Around 10,000 cases have been filed under the Domestic Violence Act in the first year of its existence, but most states are still lagging behind in its implementation, as per an evaluation report of the law.

Around 10,000 cases have been filed under the Domestic Violence Act in the first year of its existence, but most states are still lagging behind in its implementation, as per an evaluation report of the law.

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A total of 7,913 applications were filed under the law in the period ending July 31, the number swelling to close to 10,000 so far, but most of the proceedings are pending in court.

According to the Evaluation Report 2007 on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 prepared by the NGO Lawyers Collective, Rajasthan reported the maximum 3,440 cases, followed by Kerala (1,028), Andhra Pradesh (731) and then Delhi (607).

Only 64 applications were made under the Act in Bihar, 54 in West Bengal and 12 in Orissa.

The study found that all states except five have appointed protection officers.

But except in Delhi and Andhra Pradesh, none of the appointments have been made on a full-time basis.

"There is reason to be happy as well as sad. The state governments need to do more to implement the Act," said NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas.

She said pressure has to be exerted on the state governments to ensure adequate number of protection officers (POs), service providers and medical and rehabilitation facilities.