The Madras High Court has to be applauded for coming to the rescue of men. While dealing with a petition submitted by a person who 'was violently beaten up' by a woman police officer in connection with a matrimonial case, Justice R Regupathi has observed that "every one expected that all-women police stations would be conciliation centres for re-union. But the actual experience divulged that even minor disputes due to family misunderstandings are given the colour of a crime." The court lamented that helpless women are encouraged to come forward with a case with grave allegations against the husband and his family, invariably dragging all family members to the police station and subjecting them to ignominy and disgrace. There are some instances where arrests are strategically planned to harass the accused and his family so as to make them succumb to the horror of being imprisoned. Such arrests are in invariably plotted at the weekend particularly on Fridays so that they cannot even apply for bail for the next two days, the Court observed.

The Judge also referred to reports of married sisters of husbands, even though they are pregnant or with baby in hands, being summoned and brought to the police stations in the name for enquiry and ruthlessly harassed.

The Judge also made several suggestions for implementation. Except in cases of dowry death, suicide and offences of a serious nature, the station house officers of All Women Police Stations should register FIR only on approval of the Dowry Prohibition Officer (DPO) concerned. Social workers or mediators with experience may be nominated and housed in the same premises of All Women Police Stations along with the DPOs. Arrests in matrimonial disputes, in particular arrest of aged, infirm, sick persons and minors, shall not be made by the Station House Officers. If arrest was necessary during investigation, sanction must be obtained from the Superintendent of Police concerned by forwarding the reasons recorded in writing. The charge-sheet must be filed within a period of 30 days from the date of registration of the FIR and in case of failure, extension of time shall be sought from the jurisdiction magistrate indicating the reasons for the delay. A different uniform other than the one for regular police force may be recommended for these police officers, the Judge added.

I feel the men folk can now heave a sigh of relief and sleep in comfort!