Rekha Gupta orders monthly progress reports from Sakhi centres in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed all Sakhi One Stop Centres (SOSC) on Monday to submit monthly reports to her office detailing case status, including police action, FIRs, and legal proceedings. She stressed that registering a complaint is not enough; its outcome must be tracked.
The chief minister issued the directions during an inspection of the SOSC at Lok Nayak Hospital, where she reviewed the assistance being provided to women and girls affected by violence, including counselling, police support, legal aid, medical assistance and temporary shelter. She directed officials to ensure time-bound monitoring of police action and legal proceedings in POCSO cases involving girls, while maintaining strict confidentiality.
“A woman seeking help must receive not just assistance, but dignity, safety and effective legal support,” the chief minister said. The chief minister said women approaching the centres should be provided a safe, comfortable environment, their concerns heard patiently, and assistance provided according to their needs.
The SOSCs provide a range of services to women affected by violence at a single location, including emergency medical examination, psychological and social counselling, free legal consultation, police assistance and support in filing FIRs.
Women in need can also receive short-term accommodation, food, clothing, and other necessities. The services can be accessed through the toll-free women’s helpline 181.
During the inspection, the chief minister reviewed the system for maintaining case records and following up on complaints. Any delay or difficulty in obtaining information from a police station should also be recorded and taken up with senior police officers for prompt resolution, she said.
The chief minister directed officials to maintain separate and confidential records of POCSO cases and ensure regular follow-up of FIRs, police action, arrests and
subsequent legal proceedings.She also reviewed the counselling process and said assistance should be based on each case’s circumstances and needs. Where immediate police or legal intervention is required, she said, the concerned agencies should be activated without delay.
In cases where women seek resolution through communication and counselling within their families, their wishes and circumstances should be respected, and they should be guided sensitively, with coordination with the Crime Against Women Cell or other relevant mechanisms, she said.
The chief minister also reviewed temporary shelter arrangements, including accommodation, food, clothing, cleanliness and other basic facilities at the centre. She directed officials to ensure immediate shelter for women who need a safe place and make arrangements with the concerned shelter homes in cases requiring longer-term accommodation.
She directed officials to ensure regular follow-up and coordination between the centres, police and other concerned departments, and to flag delays in police action to senior officers wherever necessary.
