Justice delayed: 75% cases of crime against women pending in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Over 75% cases of crimes against women are pending trial in different courts of Telangana, while over 10,000 cases are still awaiting investigation from the previous year, revealed data released by the National Crime Records Bureau of India (NCRB).
Activists say that due to pendency rate being high, most victims eventually lose hope in the justice system and choose to settle the matter outside or compromise.“When a case goes on for years, the victims either prefer to withdraw the case or opt for a compromise. Imagine, a rape survivor who took over a year to get over the trauma has to re-live it again as she is made to repeat it during court trials,” said Jameela Nishat from a women’s right NGO Shaheen.
According to Telangana police’s Women Safety Wing, most cases get delayed because of pending forensic reports. “Due to delay in getting reports from various department, the investigation also gets delayed. In terms of cases pending investigation, even after we file the charge sheet, the case is still taken as under investigation until the trial dates are provided,” said Swati Lakra, additional DGP of women safety wing.
The officer further suggested a special court for rape cases that will help clear the pendency in court. “After the child-friendly court was launched in the city, the conviction rate in Pocso cases went from less than 10% to 30%. To fast track the pending rape cases, a similar plan is needed in the state,” added Lakra.