Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the police to send a copy of first information report (FIR) on sexual violence to Legal Service Authority (LSA).
While hearing the case, Additional Advocate General B A Dar representing the government told the court that the police has already issued a circular to the concerned district superintendents of police.
According to the circular, the Station House Officers of police stations have been directed to send a copy of FIR in all the cases of sexual violence to the LSA on their dedicated email.
“All superintendents of police of the districts/units and other supervisory officers shall ensure compliance to this direction, any laxity in this regard will be viewed seriously,” read the circular.
In May, the High Court had directed J&K Legal service Authority to prepare a protocol for information about sexual offences by the police to the legal authority using SMS, WhatsApp, email or telephones.
The LSA informed the court that they have prepared the action plan and protocol by incorporating the directions of the court.
It said a “dedicated email has been set up to ensure linkage between the police stations and the officers of Legal Service Authority for providing legal services to the victims of sexual violence.
In the Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Shafqat Nazir, the court had also directed for providing legal aid to the victims right from the beginning till the end of the case while ensuring proper medical treatment to the victim and release of compensation under the victim compensation scheme.

NUSRAT SIDIQ