There are many laws and rules that help the women to protect their rights. But most of them are unaware of this. The most important legal rights that women must know are given below.
Right for the free aid-
Every woman has the right to free aid. When a woman goes to a police station without the support of the lawyer she will be ignored or humiliated for her statements. But the fact is that every woman has the right to get the legal aid and she can demand it.
Right for privacy-
When a woman is raped, she has a right to record her statement in front of the magistrate privately without the support of any another person. She can also record her statement personally in front of the lady constable or a police officer. According to section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the cops are authorized to give the privacy to the victim without making her too stressable.
Right for ultimate registration-
A woman is always not interested in going the police station for lodging a complaint. This is because she always considers her reputation, dignity of the family and threats of the culprit. The Police do not have the right to say no to register her complaint, even if it's too late or not. A woman cannot be denied of anything. She has more respect in the society.
Right for virtually complaining-
Every woman has the right to lodge a complaint through email or through registered post as stated in the guidelines issued by the Delhi Police. She can send a written complaint to a senior police officer of the level of Deputy Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. The officer will conduct the proper verification of the complainant and lodge a FIR for the corresponding complaint. The police will come to the residence of the victim for taking the statement of the victim.
Right for Zero FIR-
A rape victim can register her police complaint from any police station. It is stated in the Zero FIR ruling. The Supreme Court has ruled out that not many women are aware of the right, so don't let the SHO of a police station send them away.
Right for not to be arrested-
The Supreme Court had ruled out that a woman cannot be arrested after sunset and before sunrise. There are many situations in which women are harassed by the police other than daytime, Even if a woman constable is accompanying the officers, the police do not have the right to arrest a woman at night. If the woman has committed a serious crime, the police are needed to get writing from the magistrate which explains why the arrest is necessary at night.
Right for not being called to the police station-
According to the Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, women cannot be called to the police station for interrogation. But the police can question a woman in her residence in the presence of a woman constable or family members. The Supreme Court had strictly warned for this right.
Right for confidentiality-
The identity of the rape victim cannot be revealed. The police and the media are restricted to keep the name of the victim in private. The Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code describes it. The section states that printing or publishing the name of the victim or making the identity of a woman as public will be treated as a serious offense.
Right towards crime and not a medical condition-
A case of rape can't be dismissed even if the doctor says that rape has not occurred. The victim is medically examined as per Section 164 An of the Criminal Procedure Code. The report will act as proof of the offense. Also, the victim has the right to have a copy of the medical report from the doctor. Rape is always a serious crime and it is not a medical condition.
Right for not having sexual harassment-
The employer will always be authorized to create a Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee for women to complain about sexual harassment. By the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, it is mandatory for all the firms, public and private, to set up these committees for resolving matters related to sexual harassment. The committee will be headed by a woman and it should comprise of 50% women, as the members of the committee.
The blog writer-compiler is a Management Professional and operates a Manpower & Property Consultancy Firm. Besides, he is President of "Consumer Justice Council", Secretary of "SARATHI", Member of "Jan Manch", Holds "Palakatva of NMC", Is a Para Legal Volunteer, District Court Nagpur & Member of Family Welfare Committee formed under the directions of Hon. Supreme Court.
