INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (4 Weeks - 6 th to 31 st May, 2013) SHATAKRATU SAHU National University Of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

PROJECTS & VISITS Safer India District Court Visits Navjyoti FCC, Jahangirpuri

SAFER INDIA Addressed 25 mailed problems Follow up done for approx half the cases Trend Observed: All classes mail complaints, but most complaints by the middle class Easy for Safer India when documents are provided Objectives of Safer India not known to complainants

Some seek counselling (Family Issues), Some seek legal guidance. Efficiency of addressing cases can be increased with the help of the complainants. Safer India’s specific ambit needs to be publicised more Some complaints written on behalf of someone else. Positive: Advantageous for the suppressed if unaware of Safer India. Negative: Addressing the problem takes longer Brochures Made: Domestic Violence and Cheating

COURT VISITS Two sets of court visits were done 1. Visits of Domestic Courts, District Court Complex, Saket 2. Various Court Visits under the guidance of Advocate R. K. Yadav

1. Saket Domestic Court Visits (4 days) Gained first hand experience of legal proceedings in various domestic cases Section 498A, IPC and Sec 12,PWDV Act common provisions under which complaints are filed Legal proceedings not encouraged for domestic relationships which have a binding effect in the society

“Mediation” highly preferred by the judges, out of court dispute resolution between parties encouraged Majority of cases have wives as complainant, alleging domestic violence or demanding maintenance Female Judges appointed, probably to eradicate gender bias

Court Visits under a Lawyer (9 days) Court visits were done under the guidance of Advocate R. K. Yadav All proceedings observed had Advocate R. K. Yadav as the counsel of one of the parties Types of proceedings observed: Civil, Criminal and Matrimonial

District Courts Visited: Tis Hazari, Dwarka, Rohini, Saket and Bahadurgarh district court, Haryana Learned about the work of a Practicing Lawyer w.r.t filing/collecting certified application, filing for cases Access to Case files/counsel’s pleadings enhanced exposure on legal documents and proceeding’s information Gained insight into the working of a court by knowing the work of a reader, record room incharge and police

Focus on Matrimonial/Domestic Cases: Specific domestic legal rights is a boon for the suppressed Family members’/ in-laws’ interference. Positive: family members helping the suppressed. Negative: Undue interference being hindrance for reconciliation Legal Proceedings a hassle for the parties and family members involved. Family counselling a preferred option for some cases Custody of child a major issue

3. Navjyoti FCC, Jahangirpuri (2 days) 5 counselling cases observed (50 cases for the month May) Complainants are mostly women Counselling for: Husband-Wife, Parent-Child, In Laws Cases under section 363 IPC entertained, for missing children under the age of 18

Alcohol drinking by male members of families a major reason for family disputes Observed that regular family disputes can be resolved with the help of a counsellor Litigation is the last resort for dispute resolution

Summing Up The 4 week experience was enriching Met and exchanged thoughts with IVF team leaders, associated lawyers, counsellors and volunteers Learned about grass root problems of the society through Safer India cases, Domestic court visits, Family counselling cell visit Many complaints against the police

Domestic violence a critical issue regarding family disputes. Needs special attention Recommendation : Safer India’s specific objective’s not known to the public, though clearly specified in brochures and website. Awareness about the specific objective needs to be spread Safer India, along with legal guidance and family counselling cells a boon for victims Most importantly learned about the importance of sincerity and passion in the functioning of various departments of an efficient NGO. It would be an honour to continue as a volunteer for IVF

THANK YOU