You are a Superintendent of Police (S.P.) of a district. You are approached by a woman, who claims to have been subject to domestic violence and harassment by her in-laws. She had approached the local police station but she claims that her complaint was not registered there. You telephonically enquire from the police station who reveal that on account of pressure from a prominent politician her complaint was not registered, as the politician had threatened the station officer of being transferred if he registered the complaint. In such circumstances which of the following options would you exercise?

2.5 marks if choice is (d) 1 mark if choice is (b) or (a) 0 marks if choice is (c) Rationale/ Reasoning (d) Option ‘d’ is the best course of action as it redresses the grievance of the woman regarding non-registration of her complaint and also helps her to seek justice against domestic violence. (b) Option ‘b’ is akin to shrugging one’s responsibility. Although the intention is to get the complaint registered by asking her to bring a medical report, things are being made difficult for the woman and onus shifted back on her. (a) Asking the woman to approach the National Commission of Women may otherwise be a good advice, but is clearly shirking of duty and denial of justice. (c) Counselling or even reprimanding may or may not work. Further, it does not help the woman to get justice for the violence suffered in the past. Asking her not to file a complaint is denial of legal and fundamental right. Principles/values put to test Upholding law and justice despite pressures