Mumbai: Though the Domestic Violence Act was
passed in 2005, no independent protection officers have been
appointed under the act as yet, a PIL has contended.
According to R Anubhule, the petitioner, currently the
revenue officers double up as protection officers, but being
overburdened, they can't do justice to this responsibility.
The protection officer is supposed to act as a channel
between the victim of domestic violence; and the magistrate
and the police. He/she conveys the initial complaint to
police, and application for any relief to the magistrate.
The High Court today came down hard on the government in
the delay in appointing independent protection officers.
"You cannot give excuses like lack of funds when
implementing law passed by the Parliament," division bench led
by acting chief justice J N Patel said.
Court has sought reply from government in one week.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, February 03, 2010, 21:09