Steps To Curb Menace Of Eve Teasing; Establishment Of Fast Track Women Friendly Courts: Patna HC Directs Authority To Decide Representation

While disposing of a plea seeking directions on the State Government for taking effective measures to curb the menace of eve teasing, the Patna High Court has directed the Petitioner to make a representation before the concerned authority which has been directed to decide the same expeditiously.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered thus

"The authority concerned shall consider and dispose it of expeditiously by a reasoned and speaking order preferably within a period of three months from the date of its filing along with a copy of this order."

Furthermore it said

"We are hopeful that as and when petitioner takes recourse to such remedies, as are otherwise available in law, before the appropriate forum, the same shall be dealt with, in accordance with law and with reasonable dispatch."

The development came during hearing of a petition seeking measures to curb eve teasing in terms of the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in Deputy Inspector General of Police & Another v. S.Samuthiram reported in (2013) 1 SCC 598 wherein a slew of directions were issued after observing that there is no uniform law in India to curb eve-teasing effectively in or within the precinct of educational institutions, places of worships or public places.

In view of this, the plea also sought directions to establish Fast Track Women Friendly court in every district under State of Bihar to expedite the trial against the offenders of eve-teasing.

Furthermore, it sought directions to the State Government to publish pamphlets, brochures, hoardings etc. at all vulnerable places informing all about the steps to be taken by the victim girl, women to save themselves from Eve-teasing such as contact number of the police, number of women help center etc.

Additionally, it had sought directions on State to coordinate with the State Women Commission, State Human Right Commission and Department Social Welfare to open effective Women Help Center involving Para Legal Volunteers for taking immediate legal action against culprits of eve-teasing.

Hearing submissions in the matter, the Court ordered thus:

"Petitioner shall approach the authority concerned within a period of four weeks from today by filing a representation for redressal of the grievances."

Case Title: Om Prakash Kumar v. State of Bihar through its Chief Secretary & Ors

Click Here To Read Order