INDIA VISION FOUNDATION

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (4 Weeks - 6th to 31st May, 2013)

SHATAKRATU SAHU National University Of Juridical Sciences,

Kolkata

PROJECTS & VISITS

Safer India

District Court Visits Navjyoti FCC, Jahangirpuri

SAFER INDIAAddressed 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 VISITSTwo 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