ADGP-led wing to deal with crimes against women, kids

The newly created Crime against Women and Children (CWC) wing would also keep an eye on NGOs operating in the field of crime against women and children, a senior police officer said. 

The special unit, which would supervise all cases of crimes against women and children in Tamil Nadu, is now operational in the State, with the Police Department posting three officers in the rank of superintendents to assist the Additional Director General of Police who is heading the unit. In addition, there would be ADSPs posted in the wing in all districts. 

Chennai city has a Deputy Commissioner attached to CWC, while two Superintendents would be responsible for the rest of Chennai. 

CWC would be fully responsible for ensuring compliance to the various provisions of Juvenile Justice Act, directions of Supreme Court and High Court and any other laws and rules or instructions with regard to the protection of women and children, and prosecution of crimes against women and children. 

The CWC wing would streamline various wings entrusted to investigate cases like infanticide, acid attacks, molestation and rapes, honour killing, dowry and domestic violence, forced labour and abuse of domestic helps, prostitution and trafficking women, crimes against children including child-lifting, child sexual abuse, pornography, child labour and related issues of juvenile crimes, Pocso cases, street children and missing children. 

The unit would supervise functions of the all-women police stations and special units such as anti-human and child trafficking units, investigative units of crime against women (IUCAW), special juvenile police unit police, etc., noted ADGP M Ravi, who is heading the CWC. 

“Setting up of the fullfledged unit is being done in consultation with the DGP,” he added. 

Though special unit would focus on developing database of organised criminal gangs, including those involved in human trafficking, and liaison with other police units, it does not  have power to register cases as of now.