HYDERABAD: Though Domestic Violence Act, 2005, is a comprehensive legislation for speedy redress of grievances of women subjected to domestic violence, its successful implementation would depend on the understanding of the Act by officials of departments concerned, said Collector Chandravadan here on Tuesday.

Speaking at the sensitisation programme on the Act for the district, revenue and judiciary officials, Mr. Chandravadan said the unique feature of the Act was entrusting Project Director, District Woman and Child Welfare Department as the protection officers for enforcing the Act. The Act would ensure speedy delivery of justice, succour and right of residence to the petitioner.

Better coordination

As the Woman and Child Welfare Department was not familiar with the enforcement role, the sensitisation programme was being conducted by involving all the stake-holder departments for better coordination. A woman domestic counselling centre was opened to explain the provisions under the new Act to the petitioner, he said.

First hearing

Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority Member Secretary Vidya Prasad said that the latest Domestic Violence Act, result of two-decade efforts, was being implemented from October 26 in the State.

For the first time, the Act gave the right to the woman to continue to live in the same house even while petitioning against the spouse or other male members of the house for physical and emotional abuse.

The Protection Officer alone would file the Domestic Incident Report (DIR) to be sent to the Magistrate through service providers (women's organisations).

The Act also ensured that the first hearing would be held within three days and the case would be disposed of within 60 days.

Superintendent, Women Protection Cell, Mahesh M. Bhagawat, said the police would have a direct role only when the protection order was violated and then the accused could be awarded one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs.20,000.

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