Kanpur: National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar heard 61 cases related to women during the Rashtriya Mahila Aayog Aapke Dwar programme held here on Thursday.Addressing mediapersons after the public hearing, Rahatkar said 40 cases had already been registered with the NCW and were heard in person, while 21 fresh complaints were received from women, who approached the commission after learning about its visit to Kanpur.She said most complaints related to family disputes, including marital discord and domestic harassment. Many women, she observed, continue to endure abuse for long periods due to social and family pressures, hoping circumstances would improve. In such situations, timely relief and justice become essential.Rahatkar said complaints related to sexual harassment and cybercrime also came up during the hearing. The commission issued necessary directions to police officials in several cases. Referring to one serious matter, she said although the family had attempted a compromise, the commission refused to accept any settlement.“The safety, dignity and respect of women are paramount, and there can be no compromise in cases of rape and other serious crimes,” she said, adding that police had been directed to immediately register FIRs and initiate legal action in such cases.In another long-pending case involving repeated assault and harassment of a woman, the commission directed police to take preventive action against the accused and register an FIR without delay.The NCW chairperson said the commission had also taken suo motu cognisance of several recent dowry harassment cases. Police in the concerned states have been directed to ensure prompt arrests, conduct impartial investigations and expedite trials through fast-track courts. The Commission is also monitoring other sensitive cases, including those from Bhopal and Ghaziabad.UP State Women’s Commission chairperson Babita Singh Chauhan, joint commissioner of police Sankalp Sharma and ADM (Finance and Revenue) Vivek Chaturvedi were present.
