The women police stations are opened with a view to pay special attention to crimes against women and more particularly harassment and cruelty against women. They are also intended to inspire confidence and provide free communication by the women victims. The other functions include assistance to police in search, arrest, custody, escort and interrogation of women prisoners or suspects. Contingents of women police are provided in other police stations also with a view to perform the above functions. The location of women police stations does not absolve the L&O Police and Detective Police Stations of their responsibilities of dealing with and investigating crimes against women and protection of women against atrocities.
The records, management and functions of the Women Police Stations shall be the same as prescribed for L&O Police Stations. The investigation of more serious offences particularly cases of rape, dowry deaths and organised trafficking in women shall be dealt by the DPS of the area.
The women police station shall be part of a L&O Police Sub-Division and shall be under the supervision of the L&O Police SDPO.
The SHO of the Women Police Station shall have all the functions, duties and responsibilities as SHO of an L&O Police Station.
The SHO shall maintain close liaison and coordination with the officials of the women and the child welfare department, non-governmental and voluntary organisations, the officials in charge of State Homes for women, and other authorities specified in the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of children) Act.
The SHO of women police station should furnish the crime-criminal information directly to the DCRB and the DPS.
All equipment and facilities including communication etc. as are provided for L&O Police Station are provided to the Women Police Stations. The preventive duties in respect of offences against women shall rest with the women police in so far as it relates to its jurisdiction. Particular attention should be paid in collecting information and taking security action against persons who indulge in organised trafficking in women and children and those who are likely to commit offences of kidnapping, abduction, child marriage and demand and acceptance of dowry.
Special arrangements are made for effective investigation of crimes against women and protection of women. Women police stations are established to focus on this aspect and to inspire confidence. The women protection cell in Crime Investigation Department (CID) is intended to monitor the crimes against women and take up serious cases for investigation. The safeguards and steps to be taken for protection of women and children by the police and treatment of women offenders are
as below:
Safeguards to be taken while arresting women
A. While making arrest of a woman submission to custody should be presumed unless circumstances to the contrary exist. There should be no occasion for a male Police Officer to touch her person. It is therefore advisable whenever it is proposed to arrest a female, women police should be employed.
B.
Arrest of women should as far as possible during night times be avoided unless it is inevitable.
C. When it is not possible to secure the services of women Police Officers, an officer of the rank of ASI or above should effect the arrests.
D. Bail may be granted where the offence for which the arrest is made is not of a serious nature. The SHO may exercise his discretion in non-bailable offences to release a woman arrestee on bail.
E. Whenever a woman is arrested, the services of women Police Officers should be utilized for guarding and escorting her. If women Police Officers are not available in the Police Station, one of the relations of the arrested woman, of her choice can be permitted to remain with her. When interrogation of the arrested woman is done by a male Police Officer the relation or woman Police Officer should be present. If a Woman Police Officer herself is conducting the interrogation, the presence of a woman relative may not be necessary.
Crimes against Women (Duties of Police)
Women have equal rights under the Constitution. Special provisions aimed at protection of women and to prevent atrocities against them have been made by various laws. Article 23 of the Constitution prohibits trafficking in women, which is recognized as a fundamental right. Trafficking in human beings covers exploitation and trading by taking advantage of the vulnerability, poverty and physical weakness of the women.
The provisions in the Indian Penal Code relating to crimes against women are contained in sections 294, 304B, 354, 366, 366A, 366B, 372, 373, 374, 376, 376-A, B, C, D, 493, 494, 496, 497, 498, 498A, 509 and sections 125 to 128 of Chapter VIII of CrPC relating to maintenance of women. The investigation of cases of rape contained in 376, and other sexual offences in 376 A, B, C, D and offences of Cruelty against married women i.e., 498 A, cases of dowry deaths covered by 306 and 304 B IPC are covered in other chapters in the manual.
Organized criminal activity is known to operate in illicit trafficking subjecting the women to untold trauma, agony and suffering.
B. Women are subjected to physical harm, molestation, physical and mental suffering arising out of dowry system and conflicts in the family due to various reasons. Domestic violence against women and girls is yet another manifestation of sufferings of women.
C. Adequate safeguards and protections are provided for the treatment of arrested women and women offenders by various laws and rules.
D. Apart from the Indian Penal Code, special legislations also exist. In the matter of rehabilitation, rescue and treatment, the welfare departments of the government and recognised non-governmental organizations have an important role to play. The role of the police which is complementary to these is set forth in the concerned Acts and Rules. In respect of atrocities against women of an unorganized nature, the governmental and non-governmental agencies and also the police have a role to play. In the matter of dealing with organised crime against women particularly trafficking and serious crimes it is entirely the responsibility of the police.
The existence of women police stations or women protection cell does not absolve the police as a whole of its duties in this respect. There is no bar either to post men police officers to women police stations or to the protection cell, except that it Is necessary, that more women police officers than men are posted in those units
