As per the Delhi Police crime statistics on women Proclaimed Offenders (POs), most indulged in theft, cheating and dowry. The copy of the report was accessed by The Pioneer from Delhi Police. There are some women, in the Delhi Police’s record of a total 700 POs, who were never arrested since the 1970s and have managed to evade the long arm of the law. Delhi Police Crime Branch and local police are working to trace them. While some are suspected to be in hiding in other States and cities or even overseas, some are believed to be dead.
“We cannot rule out that such POs have died. Hence, we still continue their hunt,” said an officer. At least 430 women have been declared as POs in the cases of theft, cheating and dowry. Out of 700 women POs, 90 are those who were booked under the Excise Act while 180 are facing charges for murder, attempt to murder, robbery, abduction and Immoral Trafficking (Women) and Prevention Act.
The figures also show a woman PO identified as Chander Kaur who has eluded the Delhi Police dragnet since 1973 in a case of theft lodged at Central Delhi’s Karol Bagh police station. In another case, a woman named Kamaljeet Kaur of Uttar Pradesh is at large since 1979 in a case of abduction, registered at Central Delhi’s Chandni Mahal police station. A woman PO from Rajinder Nagar, identified as Gargi Jain, is on the run since she was booked in a case of cheating registered way back in 1978.
In legal terms, a PO is declared by the court after the suspect fails to appear before the court following warrant against him or her. Some accused often jump bail never to appear in court again. Police are then left with no other alternative other than to attach their movable and immovable properties under sections 82/83 of CrPC. Once police inform the court about the disappearance of the accused person, the court declares them as POs.
The officer said the women PO who were booked under the Excise Acts were found to be indulging in the supply of illicit liquor in the area. “Women belonging to a denotified criminal tribe often indulge in such activities,” said the officer, adding, “In records too, the number of such women is alarming.” According to crime data compiled by Delhi Police, the majority of such women, who are booked under the Excise Act, are POs from West and South-West districts and they keep shifting homes to delude police.