Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 29: The High Court has directed the Superintendents of Police and Station House Officers (SHOs) of all Police Stations of districts to submit the FIRs of sexual violence to J&K Legal Services Authority’s (JKLSA) e-mail immediately as directed by the Director General of Police.
Hearing a suo-moto cognizance on alleged rape of a minor in Sumbal area of district Bandipora early this year, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjeev Kumar said they have received circular issued by the Director General of Police Dilbag Singh in which all the SHOs have been directed to send a copy of FIR in all cases of sexual violence to e-mail ID of JKSLSA immediately on registration of such FIR.
“All Police Stations and Superintendents of Police of the Districts/Units and other supervisory officers shall strictly abide by these directions”, the DB directed after receiving the circular of DGP in which all SHOs have been directed to send a copy of FIR in all case of sexual violence to JKSLSA immediately on registration of such FIR.
The circular has been issued in view of Court direction in the instant PIL had directed SLSA to frame a protocol with regard to supply of information regarding sexual offences, by Police to the Legal Services Authority using SMSs, Whatsapp, e-mail or telephone to provide legal aid to a victim right from the beginning till the end of the case in order to ensure proper medical treatment to the victim and release of compensation under the victim compensation scheme at the earliest.
“Accordingly JKSLSA has prepared an Action Plan/Guidelines/Protocol incorporating the directions of the High Court and a dedicated email has been set up to ensure linkage between the Police Stations and the offices of LSA for providing legal services to the victims of sexual violence”, circular said.
Meantime, Information Department in pursuance of Court directions has designated Deputy Director Central as State Nodal Officer in all districts of UT and Field Publicity Officers as Divisional Level Nodal Officers for executing the awareness programme about the J&K Protection of Children from Sexual Violence Act 2018 across the UT as per the calendar.
Court has been informed that the concerned officers have been directed to take all necessary steps for holding the events on the scheduled dates in collaboration with district administration and concerned sister departments at district level for mass awareness.
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