Notice to state, Centre on plea to implement Nirbhaya scheme

Petitioner Karthi from Madurai filed a PIL in which he stated that the Nirbhaya incident in 2012 sent shock waves across the country and following that the Union government had formed Nirbhaya Fund to be utilised for the Nirbhaya scheme. 

The main component of the scheme is to provide assistance to women affected like Nirbhaya by setting up centres exclusive for victims of rape incidents, to form Mahila police volunteers organisation, to form emergency rescue centres, to provide safety centres for women in railway stations and so on.  In 2011, cases of violence against women were 2.19 lakh but in 2015 the total number of cases increased to 3.14 lakh. 

Out of the 3.14 lakh cases only in 5,847 cases the accused had been convicted and it shows that proper help does not reach women. Also the nationwide toll free number of 181, for violence against women, is functioning in only 18 states at present. 

Though the scheme was implemented five years ago, the Tamil Nadu government had not implemented the scheme properly.  So, the court should direct the state and the Centre to implement it.  When the PIL was heard by Judges Sathyanarayana and Hemalatha, they directed the state and Centre to file counter and adjourned the case to April 25.