Thiruvananthapuram: The state will amend law vesting more powers in Kerala Women's Commission. KWC will have powers to summon anyone, not just witnesses. KWC chairperson M. C. Josephine and her predecessor K. C. Rosakutty have welcomed the move, a long-standing demand by the previous panels. In fact, the amendment is coming after 25 years.
It was social justice minister K. K. Shailaja who relentlessly pursued this demand. There have been several instances where the panel will summon the witnesses, and after hearing woes, the commission forced to refer the case to the police station to take further action.
This used to cause inordinate delay in bringing justice to victims. Ms Josephine said it showed the LDF government's resolve on women empowerment. "It should be recalled that these days the commission's functioning had to be intensified with the volume of cases. Every day we are getting scores of cases requiring immediate attention when the opponents manage to escape with lame excuses," she said.
When the commission seeks the police report, it creates a delay in providing justice to the victims. At a recent leadership meet of KWC Mr Shylaja inaugurated, various political organisations had raised this demand. "There have been several instances where the opponents will not appear even after three summons making us feel incapable and helpless. This is a remarkable step," said Ms Rosakutty, who is also a Congress leader.
