Around 3,500 people for over 3 lakh domestic violence cases: Centre tells SC

As the Supreme Court said the situation was far from satisfactory when it comes to handling cases of domestic violence, the Centre said there are just 3,637 protection officers for almost three lakh domestic violence cases. During a hearing on 25 February this year, the Supreme Court bench of Justices UU Lalit, S Ravindra Bhat and PS Narasimha noted that “in some states, if not all, the situation is far from satisfactory.” The court had also noted, “Many States have chosen to designate revenue officers or members of the Indian Administrative Service as “protection officers”. This clearly was not the intent of the lawmakers, since such revenue or administrative officials would be unable to devote time to discharge the fairly intense work required and expected of protection officers.” The bench said in most states the number of officials appointed was “disproportionately small compared to the geographical dispersion and vastness of the State.” The Centre informed the Supreme Court that for 2,95,601 complaints filed under the Domestic Violence Act, there are only 3,637 protection officers, out of which 2,426 are revenue or police officials who are given an “additional charge” of taking on such cases. The top court was hearing a plea over the lack of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act provisions to help affected women.