Guwahati: The Supreme Court imposed a Rs 5,000 penalty on Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Assam, among other states, for their failure to submit status reports on the implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
Justices BV Nagarathna and Prasanna B Varale expressed strong disapproval as multiple union territories and states, especially from the northeastern region, missed repeated deadlines to submit the required implementation reports.
Justice Nagarathna issued a stern warning during the hearing, saying, “Pay cost of Rs 5,000 and file it. If you don’t file it, next time it will double,” addressing the defaulting states.
The court’s concern over northeastern states is significant due to the region’s unique challenges in implementing central legislation. Besides the northeastern states, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal were also found non-compliant. Union Territories such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Lakshadweep also failed to submit their reports.
The Supreme Court granted a four-week extension for the states to submit their reports, but emphasized that the Rs 5,000 penalty must be paid to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. The case will be heard next on March 25.
The court had initially ordered the submission of status reports on December 2, 2024, with a deadline of February 14, 2025. In previous hearings, the bench stressed that both the central and state governments share the responsibility for the effective implementation of the domestic violence law.
The original petition seeks a comprehensive implementation of the 2005 Act, including the proper appointment of protection officers, the establishment of service providers and shelter homes, and public awareness campaigns on crimes against women.
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