CAW (Crime Against Women)

As per the law of land, every information to the police, be it oral or in writing, relating to the commission of a cognizable offence is supposed to be converted into a formal FIR. However, earlier, it was experienced that the females were not comfortable in reporting the matter to the regular Police Station. It was widely felt that a more sympathetic response was needed in the Cases of reporting of the matters by the females. Another thing which was equally felt was that a counselling sort of thing to the Couple at the loggers head should be made essential before lodging of a regular FIR. To address both of these concerns, The Crimes Against Women Cell (CAW Cell) was first time set up in 1983. Powers of the CAW Cell and the proceeding before the CAW cell are reconciliatory and voluntary only. The CAW cells have no power to take coercive action. The proceedings of these cells are

This cell is meant to safeguard the marriage and not to ruin it by registering case immediately on the asking of the complainant. Once an FIR is registered it becomes difficult to solve matrimonial tangles and things reach such a pass that it cannot be restored back.

After receiving a complaint from women, CAW cell examines the alleged offences, provide the assistance in reconciliation and prevents the miscarriage of justice, instead of straightaway registering the FIRs on complaints lodged by women. The first step in the CAW cell process is the counseling of the wife on the day when she visits the cell with her complaint. The Police Authorities tell her rights and limitations, and the rights and limitations of the husband, and the path that will be followed during the whole process. The wife gives her complaint in writing to the department at this point of time. The complaint is referred to the legal cell of the CAW cell. The legal cell goes through the complaint and makes its recommendations. Generally the complaint will be proceeded upon by the CAW cell. After the recommendations of legal cell, the complaint is forwarded again to the DCP who is in-charge of the CAW cell and an enquiry officer is appointed by the department. The enquiry officer will send the summons to the parties for appearance on the date and time mentioned in the summons.