New Delhi’s women’s safety net is in tatters. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), once a beacon for victims of gender-based violence, has been non-functional for nearly a year. A public interest litigation filed in the Delhi High Court by RJD leader Sudhakar Singh highlights this crisis, urging immediate restoration.
Since January 2024, the DCW office has remained shuttered. The chairperson position, vacated after Swati Maliwal’s election to Rajya Sabha, stays empty. Members are scarce, and in May 2024, all 223 contractual staff were terminated. This has crippled essential services like counseling units, rape crisis cells, and complaint hearings.
As crimes against women surge in the capital, the absence of DCW leaves survivors without vital support. The petition argues this violates fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15(3), and 21 of the Constitution, accusing the Delhi government of gross negligence.
Singh demands the court order swift appointments of chairperson and members, reinstatement of staff, and resumption of operations. He also seeks court-monitored mechanisms to prevent future lapses.
The DCW’s role in providing hearings, counseling, and legal aid was indispensable. Its paralysis exacerbates the plight of countless women navigating trauma and injustice alone. The High Court now holds the key to reviving this critical institution, ensuring women’s voices are heard once more.
