‘File report on cases where kids, women are victims’

The division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad offered the interim direction on a plea moved by Krishnapriya Foundation, which sought for a direction to the State to draw up a scheme for the establishment of counselling centers in each of the police stations throughout Tamil Nadu.

The plea also contended that the victims, who undergo traumatic experience, require emotional support and counselling is required for both the victims, as well as their families.

The bench in its interim direction on citing the success of the mediation programmes introduced as a pilot project, in five All Women Police Stations in Chennai in 2018, said “Considering the plight of the victims viz., children and women, we deem it fit that the police are duty bound to provide necessary emotional support and counselling.”

The bench also took judicial note of the aspect that owing to the multiplicity of litigation emanating from an alleged crime reported to police, by any spouse, under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) under issues like Dowry Prohibition Act, Domestic Violence Act, Litigation under the Marriage Laws, custody and rights of children, Mediation and Conciliation Centre, High Court, Madras, thought it fit that the inter se disputes between the spouses should be resolved at the earliest point of time and suggested mediation in police stations.

The plea has been posted for further hearing to July 18.