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Maharashtra Police face many problems, finds AAP survey

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Mumbai, April 13 (IANS) All is not well with police stations and police personnel in Maharashtra, a state-wide survey of 437 station houses conducted by teams of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has revealed, a party official said here on Friday.

The survey, set to coincide with the 191st birth anniversary (April 11) of reformer Mahatma Jyotirao G. Phule, who was a pioneer in championing women’s rights and education — have thrown up startling insights into the functioning of the police stations, said AAP state head Brig Sudhir Sawant (retd).

“We interacted with police stations, at various levels and petitioned them to initiate more pro-active measures to fight gender-based violence and sexual harassment and assault on women,” Sawant told IANS.

The worrying aspect that emerged was that in many police stations, there were no women staffers, while most police stations appeared to be under-staffed, including women at senior ranks.

This is despite a proposal being mooted after the Nirbhaya episode for setting up all-women police stations across the country, but there is not a single such station house even in Mumbai, Sawant said.

“Police expressed difficulties in protecting witnesses, especially in sensitive matters, with the result that the witnesses turn hostile and affect the prosecution case in court. Some women police officials also shared the pathetic social discrimination encountered by victims of sexual harassment,” he added.

Moreover, a majority of the public prosecutors appointed to fight police cases are appointed on a contractual basis, thus resulting in “a noticeable decline in their quality”.

Sawant pointed out that as per the recent National Crime Records Bureau data, while the number of cases of crimes against women have seen a sharp increase over the years, there is an abysmally low rate of conviction.

Another disheartening fact that was highlighted is that after the recent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, it is not possible to arrest legislators, municipal councilors or government officials without prior sanction from the government.

“Little wonder then, that the alleged rapists in the cases like Kathua and Unnao continue to enjoy political patronage and enjoy benefits of deep-rooted patriarchal hegemony,” said Sawant, adding that this amendment must be struck off, or at least should not be applicable when it concerns crimes against women.

Reflecting police sentiments, the AAP said that there is a need for a District Attorney system, as prevalent in the US, whose office can supervise all police investigations in a district, while only Special Public Prosecutors must handle all rape cases to ensure conviction.

Sawant said that now, AAP will follow up with 10-member teams which will be appointed to coordinate with each police station in Maharashtra, monitor implementation of its demands and convey public grievances for redressal to the concerned officials.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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