Srinagar: Srinagar: The J&K High Court directed authorities to inform the court about the manner in which maintenance granted is being paid to the women in distress.
The direction was passed after a report was filed by M K Sharma, Member Secretary, J&K State Legal Services Authority stating that during the period of COVID-19 lockdown, 19 cases in all under Section 498-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure have been registered in 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir and no case has been registered in UT of Ladakh.
However the report could not mention whether the maintenance granted is being paid to the women or not.
The court said, “This is not sufficient. The maintenance granted must reach the persons in need thereof.”
The division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal directed that they be informed about the manner in which the maintenance granted is being paid to the women in distress.
“Let these cases be followed up and relief, of whatever kind required by the complainants, be made available to them,” the court said.
While directing that the reports be placed before the bench showing that every aspect and issue pointed out by us is being addressed to the minutest detail.
Meantime a report was placed before court stating that during January, 2020 to March, 2020, 81 cases of domestic violence stands registered in the UT of J&K.
The court was informed that during the lock down period, the Social Welfare Department has reported 16 cases of rape, 64 cases of molestation and one case of eve teasing.
It was submitted that Rs 10 lacs for each district of UT of J&K has been sanctioned out of SDRF fund for COVID-19 containment for victims of domestic violence for providing temporary accommodation, food clothing, medical care etc.
Additionally the report stated that the department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR) Government of J&K has issued directions to all the Deputy Commissioner for designating 10 beds in each District Quarantine Centre exclusively and accessible for victims of domestic violence in the J&K.
The court after going through the report expressed deep appreciation for the prompt responses and extensive steps taken by authorities for their commitment to the response to the domestic violence issues during COVID-19 lockdown.

NUSRAT SIDIQ