Madras High Court Orders State Departments to Strengthen Enforcement of Women’s Safety Laws

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has instructed the main state departments to increase monitoring and enforcement of laws that protect women and children in Tamil Nadu. The court’s ruling was made while dismissing a Public Interest Litigation that demanded the establishment of a dedicated women’s protection committee under a retired woman judge. The justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan remarked that the existing laws should rather be enacted than stay dormant on paper.

During the hearing, the petitioners expressed their serious concern regarding the use of fake social media accounts to lure women and girls, and hence, exposing them to maltreatment. They further added that many victims do not obtain justice, and seeking redress is filled with hurdles. The court, however, requested the social welfare department, police, Tamil Nadu Women’s Commission, and the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to make sure that laws protecting women and children are enforced and continuously monitored.

The court observed the social welfare department creating a Women’s Commission in the year 2017 with a Chairperson and seven members. At the same time, it pointed out that the mere existence of a commission alone does not lead to safety outcomes unless it is actively working in accordance with its mandate. The judges reiterated that if the commission is running as per its goals, it will very much better the scenario of women’s and children’s protection.

Petitioners had also demanded that social media be controlled so that the use of fake identities to abuse and exploit people can be stopped. The court did not impose social media regulation but by its emphasis on monitoring it pointed to larger concerns about digital threats to women and children in the present day.

With the directive from the High Court, the police, social services, and children’s rights organizations are to work together and make the enforcement more effective. The decision reflects the public discourse on women’s safety and the effectiveness of the legal systems that are designed to protect vulnerable groups. The authorities are required to report on their progress and to ensure that women and girls do not encounter any discouragement or obstruction when they come to request justice and protection.

Read More News:  Click Here