A
recent visit to Mahila police Thana which comes under my jurisdiction raised
this question in my mind. It so happened that a lady was sitting there in the
garden of the Thana campus. I casually asked her that why she is here and if
she has given any complain/FIR here. In reply to this, She started telling me her story, “I am in great trouble mam. I am married for the
past 20 years and have 3 children. My
husband consumes alcohol daily and beats me up. Whatever he earns, he spends on
liquor. I work in the houses and thus get some money to feed my children but
this money is not enough . I waited all
these years hoping that one day he will change but nothing has happened so far. My husband is staying in village with
his parents but I don’t go there as he beats me up there. Many a time, My
inlaws also have tried to intervene but he doesn’t listen to them also. At last
I have come to police to get some ‘relief’ . Today I have come with witnesses
as asked by the investigating officer of my case. ”. I further asked her what
kind of help she wants from police and does she want to send her husband to
jail. To this she replied, “ aur kya Karen. Jail me hi theek hai. Main samajh
loongi ki wo hai hi nhi”. I further inquired her that what about the money part
and what about her children? She said,
“that is the main problem. I am illiterate so can’t earn more. If my husband
gives me 5000 Rs. per month, than rest I can earn and take care of my children.
”.
I
consoled her and assured her that we will try our best to help her and will
update her about the status of her case. But than I started thinking that if
police could really help her and provide her ‘relief’????
At
most, police may propose chargesheet against her Husband and
the case it will go to the court. This lady has no money to hire a
lawyer to represent her case. And what about the money part? For this, She will
have to file one more case for maintenance money separately and then
court may order her husband to pay some monthly amount depending upon his
financial condition. It again depends on her husband whether he gives
maintenance money or not and what if he does not pay?
It’s
a long process and long battle for her.
Will
this illiterate lady having no money and having burden of 3 children will be
able to fight through all this?
She
has come to police as a last option to seek some ‘relief’ but will she
get it?
