The Delhi High Court, on July 23, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police regarding their efforts to operate One Stop Centres (OSCs) for women and children who are victims of violence.
A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that the government and police authorities have failed to take essential steps to effectively run these centres, which were established to provide immediate help, including legal aid, medical care, and police assistance to victims.
“Necessary steps and action which are required to be taken in the matter have not been taken by the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police,”
— Delhi High Court Bench
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During the hearing of a PIL filed by NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan, represented by Advocate Prabhsahay Kaur, the Court took serious note of the issues raised. The PIL had highlighted problems including poor staffing and infrastructure in OSCs across Delhi. Advocate Kaur also cited a news report from Hindustan Times (dated June 24), which revealed the deficiencies in the OSCs.
In response, the Court issued a series of strict directions to both the Delhi Government and Police:
1. Public Awareness and Accessibility
The Court ordered that awareness campaigns must be conducted to ensure more people know about these centres. This includes:
- Publishing advertisements in at least two leading newspapers (English and Hindi).
- Installing clear and visible signboards near schools, hospitals, bus and railway stations, police stations, marketplaces, and other public places.
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“The signboards and advertisements must clearly mention the facilities available and display the emergency helpline number,”
— Delhi High Court
2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
The bench emphasized that the SOPs developed for handling child pregnancies and child marriages must be shared with all relevant personnel, including the police and OSC staff. It further directed that proper circulars be issued to ensure these procedures are strictly followed.
3. Staffing and Appointments
Recognizing the staff shortage, especially of counsellors, the Court directed:
- All vacant posts be filled immediately.
- Where regular appointments may take time, contractual hiring should be done.
- However, such appointments shall not lead to any claim of regularization later.
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“Keeping any one stop centre not adequately staffed will lead to failure of the objective which is sought to be achieved,”
— Delhi High Court
4. Timely Salary and Infrastructure
The Court further instructed the government to:
- Ensure timely payment of salaries to OSC staff.
- Address all infrastructure issues immediately to ensure that the centres function without any limitations.
“All possible and adequate steps be taken to ensure that the centres do not lack any infrastructure,”
— Delhi High Court
5. Appointment of Nodal Officer
A nodal officer must be appointed by the Principal Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development to coordinate between various departments and stakeholders to guarantee smooth functioning of the OSCs.
Finally, the Court directed the Delhi Government to submit an affidavit detailing the steps taken to comply with its instructions. The matter will next be heard on October 15.
Case Title: Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India & Ors.