NHRC issues directions for prevention of sexual harassment of women passengers traveling on train
The National Human Rights Commission has issued directions to the Ministry of Railway for protection of lady passengers in trains.
Initially, the Commission had received a petition from Jagori, a Delhi based NGO in 1998, which had highlighted an incident of sexual harassment of women passengers – who were subjected to misbehaviour by some Army personnel. Taking serious note of the matter, the Commission had taken up the issue with the DG, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and later with the Chairman of the Railway Board and the Office of the Minister for Railways.
The DG, RPF had informed the Commission that instructions had been issued to RPF officers of all Zonal Railways to take action for dealing with such situations in accordance with the powers available under existing laws. The RPF was also conducting surprise raids/drives and defaulters were being prosecuted under the Railway Act.
The Chairman, Railway Board, in his reply to the Commission mentioned that directions had been issued to General Managers of all Zonal Railways to sensitize the Commercial Staff, Railway Protection Force and concerned Government Railway Police to prevent crime against women passengers and ensure proper coordination of all concerned agencies in dealing with this problem.
The Office of the Minister of Railways also informed that separate instructions from the Minister’s office would be issued to ensure full involvement o the Ministry of Railways in sorting out this problem.
In view of these responses, the Commission felt that the Ministry of Railways had taken up the issue of the protection of lady passengers in rail journey in the manner expected. As for the specific grievance of the particular incident referred in the complaint, the Commission was informed that it had been inquired by the Army authorities in a proceeding for Court Martial. Thus the Commission, on 10 May 2000, decided to close to case.
However, the matter again came up before the Commission in the light of an article on the subject which appeared in the magazine ‘Outlook’ dated 2 April 2001 which highlighted that the problem of harassment of women passengers still persisted.
After detailed discussions in the matter with the officials of the Railways and the RPF and representatives of NGOs, the Commission felt that it was necessary at this stage to take follow-up action by way of monitoring of the compliance of the directions issued by the concerned authorities and the action taken in respect of safety of women passengers.
The Commission thus has called for a report from the Chairman, Railway Board, with full particulars for further consideration of the Commission.
Meanwhile, the Commission has directed the Railway Board that it should be ensured that FIR forms are easily available and public is provided complete information about the procedure to be followed in filing FIRs in running trains. FIR forms should also be made available in all the languages relevant to the routes concerned. The Railway Board should come up with appropriate notices at strategic points in all railway stations/coaches highlighting that sexual assaults, obscene remarks and all kinds of unwanted attention were forms of sexual harassment and therefore offences punishable by law under the Indian Penal Code and the Railways Act. Such messages should also be displayed on close circuit TV at Railway platforms. Information given to the public concerning harassment of women passengers in trains could be depicted in graphics making it easy for the public to comprehend. The Railway should also disseminate information as to who the women passengers should approach and lodge the complaints. Trains and routes on which maximum complaints were registered should be given priority with regard to implementation to these steps. The officials should be sensitised to issues relating to women and there should be periodical review of the progress of implementation of measures taken for the safety of women passengers.
The Railway Ministry has been asked to send their action taken report by 10 February 2002
Initially, the Commission had received a petition from Jagori, a Delhi based NGO in 1998, which had highlighted an incident of sexual harassment of women passengers – who were subjected to misbehaviour by some Army personnel. Taking serious note of the matter, the Commission had taken up the issue with the DG, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and later with the Chairman of the Railway Board and the Office of the Minister for Railways.
The DG, RPF had informed the Commission that instructions had been issued to RPF officers of all Zonal Railways to take action for dealing with such situations in accordance with the powers available under existing laws. The RPF was also conducting surprise raids/drives and defaulters were being prosecuted under the Railway Act.
The Chairman, Railway Board, in his reply to the Commission mentioned that directions had been issued to General Managers of all Zonal Railways to sensitize the Commercial Staff, Railway Protection Force and concerned Government Railway Police to prevent crime against women passengers and ensure proper coordination of all concerned agencies in dealing with this problem.
The Office of the Minister of Railways also informed that separate instructions from the Minister’s office would be issued to ensure full involvement o the Ministry of Railways in sorting out this problem.
In view of these responses, the Commission felt that the Ministry of Railways had taken up the issue of the protection of lady passengers in rail journey in the manner expected. As for the specific grievance of the particular incident referred in the complaint, the Commission was informed that it had been inquired by the Army authorities in a proceeding for Court Martial. Thus the Commission, on 10 May 2000, decided to close to case.
However, the matter again came up before the Commission in the light of an article on the subject which appeared in the magazine ‘Outlook’ dated 2 April 2001 which highlighted that the problem of harassment of women passengers still persisted.
After detailed discussions in the matter with the officials of the Railways and the RPF and representatives of NGOs, the Commission felt that it was necessary at this stage to take follow-up action by way of monitoring of the compliance of the directions issued by the concerned authorities and the action taken in respect of safety of women passengers.
The Commission thus has called for a report from the Chairman, Railway Board, with full particulars for further consideration of the Commission.
Meanwhile, the Commission has directed the Railway Board that it should be ensured that FIR forms are easily available and public is provided complete information about the procedure to be followed in filing FIRs in running trains. FIR forms should also be made available in all the languages relevant to the routes concerned. The Railway Board should come up with appropriate notices at strategic points in all railway stations/coaches highlighting that sexual assaults, obscene remarks and all kinds of unwanted attention were forms of sexual harassment and therefore offences punishable by law under the Indian Penal Code and the Railways Act. Such messages should also be displayed on close circuit TV at Railway platforms. Information given to the public concerning harassment of women passengers in trains could be depicted in graphics making it easy for the public to comprehend. The Railway should also disseminate information as to who the women passengers should approach and lodge the complaints. Trains and routes on which maximum complaints were registered should be given priority with regard to implementation to these steps. The officials should be sensitised to issues relating to women and there should be periodical review of the progress of implementation of measures taken for the safety of women passengers.
The Railway Ministry has been asked to send their action taken report by 10 February 2002