DSLSA submits in HC draft SOPs for one-stop centres

The proposed one-stop centres to help the victims of crimes against women would carry out a activities ranging from providing legal and medical assistance to witness protection and disbursal of compensation.
A draft of these standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the one-stop centres to provide assistance to the women victims was today submitted by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to Delhi High Court.
The DSLSA was asked by the High Court on January 7 to prepare the SOPs for the one-stop centres after holding consultations with all stakeholders.
DSLSA, however, sought more time to finalise the SOPs saying they have circulated the draft document to various stakeholders, including police, hospitals, Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) of the city government, and invited their suggestions.

A bench of justices B D Ahmed and Sanjev Sachdeva gave DSLSA time till April 22 to finalise the SOPs.
Meanwhile, the central government also claimed in court that it too had forwarded some SOPs to the DSLSA which had refused to consider them.

The contention was opposed by senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for DSLSA, saying "it is unnecessary turf war".
She also said that once they all gave their view points, the court could decide who would be the nodal agency to deal with the legal, health and other issues relating to these one -stop centres (OSCs).
DSLSA also submitted that it has received objections from DWCD and Ministry of Health with respect to the draft SOPs.

Among various issues, the SOPs provide the range of cases that would be covered by these centres, wherever they are established and the facilities available for victims there.
The SOPs also provide the method of medical examination and treatment of victims as well as collection of forensic evidence, role and responsibilities of counsellors, investigating officers and public prosecutors, award and disbursal of compensation and witness protection.
On acid attack victims, the draft said that DSLSA would award interim compensation of Rs one lakh to the victim within 15 days and Rs two lakh within next two months.
Regarding manpower at the OSCs, DSLSA has said that the centres would at least be staffed by one paramedic, one social worker and one female police constable.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Nandita Dhar through advocate Gaurav Bansal against the incidents of eve-teasing in the capital.