New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) In a landmark move aimed at strengthening the enforcement of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 20) issued a slew of directions to the Central Government, States and Union Territories to ensure full and effective implementation of the law.
A bench, comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma, passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the NGO, We the Women of India.
The Court expressed serious concern over the continued gaps in implementing the DV Act and said that it was time the law be translated into “real and accessible support” for aggrieved women.
Among the key directives the court said, mandatory appointment of Protection Officers across all districts and talukas, as required under Section 9 of the Act.
Officers from Women and Child Development department are to be identified and designated for this role within six weeks.
These officers will be responsible for assisting women in distress from filing domestic incident reports to coordinating shelter and support services.
The Court made it clear that Chief Secretaries and departmental Secretaries of all States and Union Territories would be held directly accountable for implementing the directions.
Justice Nagarathna stressed the importance of public awareness, directing wide publicity for the Act and its provisions through print, electronic and social media.
On support infrastructure, the Court said that shelter homes must be identified and strengthened to provide safe accommodation for women in crisis, in addition to the existing access to Primary Health Centres.
The Court reaffirmed that free legal aid is a right, not a favour. It instructed the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to ensure that every aggrieved woman is informed of her entitlement to legal advice and representation at no cost.
District and Taluka Legal Services Authorities are to be equipped to deliver timely support.
The Court also reminded the Central Government of its statutory duty under Section 11 to raise awareness and implement the DV Act.
It clarified that the enforcement of protective and rehabilitative measures for women is a shared responsibility between the Centre and the States.
Senior Advocate Shobha Gupta appeared for the petitioner NGO, while Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati represented the Central Government.
UNI SNG SS