Post on 07-Jan-2023
Preface
I feel privileged to present the short study on Nari Adalat- an
initiative of federation under Jharkhand Mahila Samakhya Society
(JMSS).
Women empowerment is been reiterated in almost every nook and
corner of the world. I personally being interested in knowing the
same chose it as an assignment for my internship project. My
association to Mahila Samakhya society has indeed been fruitful
as it has helped me in studying our society in depth which is
usually not as apparent in our society.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere
gratitude to the members of Mahila Samakhya Society, especially
Dr. Smita Gupta the S.P.D. of the same who helped me throughout
and under whose guidance I did this study. Also my sincere
gratitude to members of Nari Adalat who provided me with the
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requisite information, and to my institution, “National
University of Study and Research in Law”, Ranchi, for giving me
an opportunity to showcase my work efficiency.
Ms. Tejaswi
Student of BA (Hons) LLB (Hons)
(At National University of Study and Research in Law)
Contents
Chapter PageNo.
Introduction 1
4
Objectives 1
About Jharkhand Mahila Samakhya Society 3
MS intervention in legal education 5
Journey from village level forum to Nari Adalat 7
NARI ADALAT 8
an alternative forum for social justice 8
Community perception on NA 10
An interactive session 19
Findings of study 22
Annexure 24
List of paper clippings 26
Photo Gallery 27
Publications 28
5
Chapter I Introduction
The Indian Constitution has given women all rights equal to men.
Rather, there is no statement in our Constitution that
distinguishes the two distinct genders in any form. But, the
phrases seem to be nothing more than a mere literature.
Practically, day in and day out matters keeps whooping up clearly
showing the wide gap of distinction that lies between men and
women even in this era. The thread that keeps this gap distinct
is inability of society itself to accept men and women as equal.
India, being a dominion of patriarchy, seems quite uncomfortable
with raising standard of women which can be seen at the very
household level. In order to keep women under their thumbs, some
men resort to means of violence and hence domination.
Moreover, being the fragile section of our society, women are
exploited to innumerable limit. Men use them as means of
amusement, as if they have no life of their own. ‘Rape’, is an
outcome of this very mentality of ‘use and throw’. Many a times,
women are considered a package for livelihood, and because of
this, they are pushed into prostitution. Married women are
tortured for dowry by their in-laws, so on and so forth, the list
is endless.
As a part of my study curriculum, I chose to plan a study on it
as women empowerment seems to be the buzz word in today’s
society. Yet, in every nook of the country, there are reports to
the contrary.
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In the Indian social structure women have always been oppressed
and suffered due to lack of information/knowledge and self
confidence. The sentimental view towards the family hinders them
to go to the court and they suffer considering it to be their
destiny. With the efforts of Mahila Samakhya, today the rural
women have a platform in the form of women groups. An effort has
been made by Mahila Samakhya towards this direction to make women
realize that legal education is very necessary for their
empowerment. Rigorous trainings and workshops have been organized
by Mahila Samakhya for the better understanding of legal aspects
and its implications. Valuable information about women based
issues such as gender discrimination; women’s exploitation,
domestic violence etc are disseminated during the trainings,
workshops, meetings etc. Under Mahila Samakhya Programme women of
different districts have formed groups at village level where
they come under one platform and share their problems and solve
them in a holistic approach.
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Chapter II
ObjectivesMy aim through this study is to figure out the efforts made
by the developed women in uplifting the under developed
ones. Most of the women in our society are now aware of the
various laws and acts passed for the protection of the
fairer sex of our society.
How far has this helped in bringing down the atrocities
against women?
Assess the ways of providing social justice by Nari Adalat.
Identify the impact of Nari Adalat among the society who
seek justice through Nari Adalat.
Understand the process of Nari Adalat.
How far the women have instilled in their minds the feeling
of equality?
How far has Mahila Samakhya society has helped in the same?
MethodologyGroup discussion
Nari Adalat
Individual survey
Interaction with workers of Nari Adalat
Interaction with the people of nearby area
Area of study3
Area taken up for my survey was Sadar Thana which included
Kadru, Karbala Chowk, Nazir Ali lane and Azad colony
Sample size
MS:
Muslim -10
Heterogeneous (Hindu- including SC, OBC, and General)-10
4
ST-10
Adolescent/ unmarried girls-02
Non MS:
Muslim -10
Heterogeneous (Hindu- including SC, OBC, and General)-
10
ST-10
Adolescent/ unmarried girls-02
HypothesisTo all the given questions, with the latest annual report of
Mahila Samakhya society, the society seems to have been
making a progressive effort to help the victimized women.
The federation instilled with the work of sorting out the
family disputes seems to be working quite efficiently.
LimitationsThere were many problems faced during my study
The study was limited to the ways of providing social
justice by Nari Adalat run and managed by Ranchi Sadar
federation under Mahila Samakhya.
It was really difficult to interact with the victims and
collect information.
During meetings for compromise, twice the respondent party
failed to appear before Nari Adalat.5
Unlike every month, proper Adalat was not held in the month
of December.
Many a times, the federation members did not turn up or
there was mismanagement of time.
Chapter III
About Jharkhand Mahila Samakhya SocietyMahila Samakhya programme was launched in 1988 in pursuance of
the goals of the New Education Policy-1986 and focussed as a
concrete programme for the education, empowerment and social
inclusion of socially and economically marginalised women. Since
independence, education and empowerment of women has been one of
the major indicators of development in all the five year plans.
The revised National Policy on Education-1992 gave more impetus
on redressing traditional gender imbalances in educational
accessibility with respect to women. The new policy also realized
and recognised that empowerment of women is possibly the most
critical pre-requisite for the participation of women and girls
in the educational system. Mahila Samakhya envisages the initiatives under its program:
to enhance self esteem of women,
Develop ability of women to think critically and participate
in decision making in the family.
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Enable them to make informed choices in areas like
education, health and livelihood options.
Make them responsive towards their own rights and
entitlement provided under the law.
Mahila Samakhya creates an environment that promotes women’s and
girls’ education and empowers them to identify and overcome the
socio-cultural and systematic barriers that inhabit their
participation in the educational process.
The programme is currently being implemented in ten States viz.,
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala,
Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.
Mahila Samakhya programme in Bihar (undivided) was launched in
the year 1991in four districts namely: West Champaran, Sitamarhi,
Muzaffarpur and Rohtas under the banner “Education for All”. In
1992, Ranchi and East Singbhum were also included. The entire
Mahila Samakhya Programme was led by the State Project Director
(SPD) of Bihar Education Project (BEP) till the bifurcation of
Jharkhand state.
In 2000, when Jharkhand was established as a new state, Mahila
Samakhya Programme continued as usual under Jharkhand Education
Project Council (JEPC) department of Human Resource Development,
Government of Jharkhand. Initially, the programme had to face
great difficulties due to infancy of the state and also there
were other social indicators and issues which were of greater
priority for the newly formed state. However, the team at the
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state level managed to continue the Mahila Samakhya Program
covering 3308 villages of 37 blocks of 4 districts i.e. Chatra,
Ranchi, West Singhbhum and East Singbhum. The idea to register
Mahila Samakhya as “Jharkhand Mahila Samakhya Society” a separate
society was persuaded rigorously and finally on 6th September a
separate society got registered under Societies Registration Act
1860. At present Mahila Samakhya Programme is running in 11
districts of Jharkhand.
Broadly stated objectives of Mahila Samakhya
1. To create an environment in which education can serve the
objectives of women's equality.
2. To enhance the self-image and self-confidence of women and
thereby enabling them to recognize their contribution to the
economy as producers and workers, reinforcing their need for
participating in educational programmes.
3. To create an environment where women can seek knowledge and
information and thereby empower them to play a positive role
in their own development and development of society.
4. To set in motion circumstances for larger participation of
women and girls in formal and non-formal educational
programmes.
5. To provide women and adolescent girls with the necessary
support structures and an informal learning environment to
create opportunities for education.
6. To enable Mahila Sanghas to actively assist and monitor
educational activities in the villages - including elementary8
schools, AE, EGS/ AIE Centres and other facilities for
continuing education.
7. To establish a decentralized and participative mode of
management, with the decision making powers devolved to the
district level and to Mahila Sangha which in turn will provide
the necessary conditions for effective participation.
Chapter IV
MS intervention in legal educationJharkhand being primarily a land of tribal’s, has been engulfed
with crisis of upliftment of females due to domination of males.
This in turn has led to serious and speedy increase in violence
against women in form of foeticide, flesh trade, selling of girls
to other states and most commonly, domestic violence.
The NCRB recorded 2,544 cases of violence against women in the
state during past five years, including 753 rape cases, 293
molestation cases, 283 kidnapping cases and 257 dowry deaths at
an average annual basis.
The ratio no doubt has been soaring too high. To bring it down
not only the government, but various Non Government Organizations
have been trying hard enough, Mahila Samakhya being one of them.
Following are the intervention of Jharkhand Mahila Samakhya
Society towards legal education:
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Our legal interventions
Nari Adalat
Nari Adalat is a mechanism developed at village level which is
headed by women of the federation. The mechanism has been
developed to support the victims of gender based violence and
gender discrimination. Nari Adalat has proved to be alternative
to the traditional judicial system, for its expedite action,
affordability and simplicity. Mahila Samakhya initiated Nari
Adalats are very practical, less expensive and accessible to
every woman who wishes to take the support. It is neither
expensive nor complicated. These Nari Adalats are operated
completely by federation’s Sangha.
Legal camp
With a view to creating awareness among the socially and
economically disadvantaged sections of society, legal camps are
organized by the Mahila Samakhya the camps are organized aiming
at curbing all types of gender based violence to women and girls
through making them aware of their rights and entitlements. These
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Nari Adalat
Legal camp
Gender sensitisation
Legal committee formation
Access to legal services
camps play a vital role in bringing about gender equality in a
very uncontroversial manner.
Gender sensitization
“Gender” refers to the socially constructed roles and
responsibilities of women and men, in a given culture or
location. These roles are influenced by perceptions and
expectations arising from cultural, political, environmental,
economic, social, and religious factors, as well as custom, law,
class, ethnicity, and individual or institutional bias. Gender
sensitization refers to the modification of behaviour by raising
awareness of gender equality concerns. The specific nature and
degree of gender differences vary from one society to another and
are generally in favour of men. Mahila Samakhya is making efforts
to disseminate the balanced message defining the role and power
so that both genders can get equal opportunity in every sphere of
life. Taking a longer and sustainable point of view, gender
sensitization programs have been organized in terms of workshop,
training, seminar and General Council Meeting (Aam Sabha) for
women groups, community, and Kishori Manch, MSK and MS staff.
Access to legal services
Efforts are being made by Mahila Samakhya to ensure that every
woman should be aware of their rights and raise voice against
gender discrimination and win their reverent space in the society
by availing all the legal services for the protection of their
rights and providing justice to the women. Mahila Samakhya
targets to ensure woman to take the advantages of great support
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SETUP OF NARI ADALAT AT NAZIR ALI LANE The land where Nari Adalat presently
functions belongs to one Tahziba with a
paralyzed husband at home and mentally
unstable son, she was being harassed by the
builders to sell off her land to them
forcibly. Therein she approached JMSS for
help. To this, JMSS suggested her to put the
land on lease for 5 yrs in which duration the
land would be in safe hands and will be put to
an efficient use as well.
In this way, the land was saved from forcible
encroachment as well is put to an efficient
provided by the government civil societies and Mahila Samakhya
itself, to avail them their worth place in the society. The
strong Sangha also provides counseling and legal support to the
women in their villages. They register cases during their meeting
and provide social justice to the women victimised by gender
based violence.
Chapter V
Journey from village level forum to NariAdalat
11 years of establishment, intensively dominant problem involving
women led to birth of a women protection cell. Though there have
been a number of women cells, yet the problem seemed unsolved.
There was a need for something other than what existed, something
more transparent, and something more grounded and within reach.
Hence came in Nari Adalat.
In the beginning, the process of Nari Adalat was not much
formulated, and was vague. It had just begun with a motto of
protecting the fairer
sex of our society, but
without any set means
and procedures. Later,
by providing training to
members in each of the
branches, the cell was
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SETUP OF NARI ADALAT AT NAZIR ALI LANE The land where Nari Adalat presently
functions belongs to one Tahziba with a
paralyzed husband at home and mentally
unstable son, she was being harassed by the
builders to sell off her land to them
forcibly. Therein she approached JMSS for
help. To this, JMSS suggested her to put the
land on lease for 5 yrs in which duration the
land would be in safe hands and will be put to
an efficient use as well.
In this way, the land was saved from forcible
encroachment as well is put to an efficient
made stronger and better. Women from each Nari Adalat for this
purpose were sent to Gujarat, which happens to be mother of all
Nari Adalat across the country.
Since the workers did not charge any amount, nor received any
funds, they were spending entire amount from their pocket for all
related purposes which included regular visits to victims,
catching hold of accused and maintenance of the office and
general official purposes. This though, became difficult after a
while.
To combat this problem of fund shortage, they started with
receipt entry, charging 51/- per case, which with passage of time
was increased to 151/- and presently stands at 251/-. This amount
goes into the fund of Nari Adalat, and is used for official
purposes. Thus the Adalat developed more of as a self help group.
Moreover, the workers now brought in the system of stamp paper.
After the compromise, such that the matter has been settled in,
both the parties are made to sign on the bond paper, thereby
forming a contract, making the compromise legally binding.
Chapter VI
NARI ADALAT an alternative forum for social justice
Structure-
Following members forms a complete structure for Nari Adalat.
B.D.O
Thana In charge
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C.D.P.O.
Service provider members
Federation workers
Advocate
ProcessAfter a complaint arrives, the workers analyze the complaint and
decide whether the case falls within their jurisdiction or not.
Once the case is considered to be within jurisdiction, a receipt
is discharged and depending on the financial conditions of the
complainant, amount is charged from 0/- to 251/- . The workers
then in groups visit the nearby places to confirm the details
given by the complainant to be true. After the details have been
confirmed, a notice is being dispatched to the respondents for a
proceeding. During the proceedings, both the parties are given
forum to speak of their views and then are made to compromise.
The compromise deed is made on the stamp paper and a bond is
made.
Follow up is done in every 15 days to a month to figure out
things are going as per the contact.
Types of documentsThe documentation depends on the nature of the case which arrives
Nari adalat has been an advent in the present stature of the
society, a step to redeem socially isolated and victimized women.
Nari adalat started functioning in Jharkhand since 2008 and there
has been no turning back ever since. Dr. Smita Gupta, S.P.D. of14
Mahila Samakhya Society, Jharkhand along with other members laid
the foundation stone to this advent. The group takes in cases
related to domestic violence, eve teasing, multi-gamy, child
marriage, inter-caste marriage, rape dowry etc. Matters related
to murder, abduction, kidnapping land disputes etc are not taken,
as they involve serious intervention of concerned authority,
which seems to be an out of bound job for these feline workers.
Yet, the matter under its dominion are very well sorted to
possible extents and usually such matters ends well in
compromise, with depicts huge understanding and deep study for
each of the case hence a success.
Cases which are taken by the Nari Adalat
Dowry
Sexual harassment
Rape
Domestic violence
Bigamy
Polygamy
Child marriage
Unmatched marriage
Pseudo marriage
Witch hunting
Torture
Eve teasing
Inter cast marriage
Inter community marriage15
Trafficking
Chapter VII
Community perception on NA MS Survey
(A) COMMUNITY: MUSLIM (OBC)
1. Mainum Nissar
Place- Mandar
Matter went before- Panchayat then Nari Adalat and then Thana.
Facts- Complainant demanded 20,000/- as per contract made from
his to-be-son in law if the marriage was rejected from them. The
other party refused the amount.
Judgment- the other party refused to agree even on the sum of
1,000/- so, the matter was taken up by Thana.
2. Nasima Khatoon
Place- Karbala Chowk
Matter went before-Nari Adalat
Facts- Complainant happens to be the 2nd wife and has 3 children.
1st wife died leaving behind 5 children. To the property of her
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husband, names of the children from 1st wife were taken.
Complainant demanded justice for herself and her children.
Judgment- Complainant and her issues’ names were added in
nominee’s list.
3. Nazia Parween
Place- Azad Basti
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- Complainant lives in joint family. Both of her parents are
dead. Aunt used to treat violently and roughly
Judgment- Aunt was made to sign bond of living in harmony with
the niece and other family members as well.
4. Shakeel Ahmed
Place- Azad Basti
Matter went before- Nari adalat
Facts- matter related to domestic violence- drinking and
assaulting his wife
Judgment- both husband and wife were made to sign on the bond
paper to live with each other without any altercations or
violence, in harmony.
5. Md. Asrafi Ansari
Place- Bariatu
Matter went before- Mahila Thana to Nari Adalat
Facts- Complainants’ son fled with Hindu girl. Girl’s family
alleges of abduction. Boy and girl were arrested. Girl was sent
to Nari Niketan. Complainant was not permitted to meet girl even
after repeated requests in Mahila Thana.
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Judgment-The Complainant was helped to meet the girl, wherein she
admits to have fled with her consent. Remaining matter to be
dealt by the court.
6. Shehnaz
Place- Hazaribagh
Matter went before- Nari Adalat then court
Facts- the victim was burnt to death as the demands of her in-
laws were not fulfilled. The in-laws fled from the place when
Nari Adalat workers along with police intervened.
Judgment-the accused were tracked down, and were punished. They
are presently in prison.
7. Shamina Khaatoon
Place - Doranda
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- husband re-married. Complainant wants maintenance and
husband to spend time with their children.
Judgment- matter unsorted as complainant now demands 2nd wife to
abort her child.
8. Madina Khaatoon
Place- Gumla
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts-there was some small dispute after which the Complainant
stopped talking with her husband. Got their son married without
informing her husband. Were not in contact since past 3 yrs.
Husband decided to re-marry. Complainant appeared before Adalat
to stop him from doing the same.
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Judgment- The complainant was found to be at fault. Compromise
was done.
9. Musharrat Parween
Place- Kadru
Matter went before- Panchayat then Nari Adalat
Facts- the in-laws and the husband of the complainant assaulted
her. Matter was laid down before Panchayat. For a time being they
stepped doing so because of intervention of panchayat. After a
year, the in-laws began assaulting again. Thence she approached
Nari Adalat.
10. Nikhat Parween
Place- Azad Colony
Matter went before- Nari Adalat then Thana
Facts-complainant’s husband remarried and asked her to stay with
In-laws instead of with him to which she opposed. The husband was
found to be running sex racket in the parlour with the second
wife, thereby was sent to jail.
Judgment matter was brought in light and the husband was
prosecuted for running sex racket under foliage of beauty
parlour.
COMMUNITY: HETEROGENEOUS (SC/GENERAL/OBC : HINDU)
1. Meera Devi
Place- Karbala Chowk
Matter went before- Nari Adalat approached to the victim
Facts- there had been constant war of words between the victim
and her sister in law. Soon after the victim resolved to not19
eating and not speaking tendencies and eventually became weak.
Matter spread in neighbouring areas and thence Nari Adalat
workers intervened. Neither the victim nor neighbours complained
of any corrosive treatment by her in-laws towards her.
Judgment- nothing could be sorted out as the victim had degraded
her health beyond treatment. The victim succumbed to her physical
and mental conditions.
2. Prabha Devi
Place- Hetu( Hinoo)
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- the complainant happens to be the first wife of Ramdev
Sahu. During partition of land, the complainant was not offered
share of land which she desired for.
Judgment- after harvesting season is over; the Amin will be
called off along with Nari Adalat workers to sort out the
dispute.
3. Anju Kumari
Place-Chutia
Matter went to- Nari Adalat
Facts – complainant accused husband as a drunkard and that the
salary was taken up by his mother. On inspection it was found out
the complainant abused her mother-in-law and husband.
Judgment- the lady was sent to her parents as she regularly
threatened her in-laws of committing suicide.
4. Sakshi Jha
Place-Pahari Tola
20
Matter went to- Nari Adalat but complainant did not turn up later
Facts – complaint secretly approached Nari Adalat with woes that
her husband did not perform the ritual of gauna, wherein the wife
was left in her parents’ home even after birth of a child
Judgment- unsolved as complainant failed to appear later.
5. Jhulan Devi
Place-Hetu
Matter went to- Nari Adalat
Facts- the complainant happens to be 1st wife of her husband. She
demanded for equal share in property for herself and her
children.
Judgment- her demands were meted with. Equal shares were given as
was demanded.
6. Gayatri Gupta
Place-Kanke
Matter went to- Nari Adalat
Facts- the son of complainant was not letting marriage of his
sister solemnized with any boy of their choice. He tended to
over-prejudice the complainant (his mother), father and sister.
Judgment- the lady was suggested to get her daughter married off
such that she stays out of reach of her brother. The girl is now
well settled in America.
7. Meera Devi
Place-Bharmo
Matter went to- Nari Adalat
21
Facts – husband of the complainant had illicit relationship with
another girl and spent nearly entire income over her.
Judgment- matter sorted. Husband promised to stay faithful with
his wife, and stop spending amount over the girl rather to hand
them over to his wife.
8. Meera Devi
Place-gumla
Matter went to- Nari Adalat
Facts – the complainant’s deceased husband was a MLA. After his
demise, the entire property was taken up by his brother, and his
nephew was made an MLA. Complainant approached Nari Adalat to get
back the property and amount in bank account which was taken up
by deceased’s brother.
Judgment- matter was sorted, and the complainant got her rights
over the property, and her son was given place of MLA.
9. Ginita Chatterjee
Place- Kadru
Matter went up to: Nari Adalat and then court
Facts: the accused happens to be wife of an inspector. She along
with another man used to run pornography racket. The victim never
revealed the same to anyone. Due to excessive assault, when the
victim was admitted at hospital, the accused asked victims’
sister to replace her. To this, the sister fled and reported the
same to Nari Adalat workers
Judgment: police intervened and the accused were taken into
custody. Matter went up to the court.
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10. Munni
Place Azad Basti
Matter went before: Nari Adalat
Facts: the complainant was married off to a mad man, who used to
regularily beat and assault her.
Judgment: with the help of medical certificates, the victim was
permitted divorce, with the help of Nari Adalat workers.
COMMUNITY: ST
1. Sushma Kumar
Place - Gungu Toli
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- the complainant is cancer patient. She approached Nari
Adalat with complain that her father and elder sister had stopped
sending her money for treatment and other expenditures. On
approaching the father and elder sister of the complainant, it
was found that there was timely deposit of amount by the father
in the complainants account and with the intention of receiving
more money; the complainant deceivingly approached Nari Adalat.
Judgment- after the true facts were found out, the complainant
was made to compromise with her father and elder sister.
2. Kaushalya Devi
Place-Hinoo
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- the husband of the complainant is having illicit
relationship with another lady, who is also a married woman.
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Judgment- matter is still pending as both the parties failed to
appear before Nari Adalat henceforth.
3. Jyoti Tigga
Place- Hinoo
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- complainant had love marriage. Her husband is in love with
another lady and wants to marry her as she is Hindu, thereby
unlike the complainant, is of his cast.
Judgment- the matter is still pending.
4. Nirmala kujur
Place- Gungu toil
Matterwent before- Nari Adalat
Facts- the lady was accused of committing adultery.
Judgment- Matter was sorted and the lady shifted along with her
husband to a new home.
5. Sapna Soreng
Place Bariatu
Matter went before Nari Adalat
Facts- the complainant doubted her husband of being in illicit
relationship with another woman.
Judgment- matter was sorted, as the husband was made to promise
of staying faithful to his wife.
6. Pramila
Place Kumhar Toli
Matter went before Nari Adalat
24
Facts- the complainant married a Muslim who later married another
woman. The complainant wanted maintenance.
Judgment- maintenance was given matter sorted.
7. Parwati Khalko
Place Dangra Toli
Matter went before Nari Adalat
Facts doubted husband was in illicit relationship with another
woman.
Judgment- husband was made to vow of not cheating over his wife
again.
8. Shabnam
Place Gumla
Matter went before Panchyat and Nari Adalat
Facts- married a Muslim. Husband was in illicit relation with his
elder brother’s wife
Judgment- the complainant and her husband shifted to another
place and broke contacts with his brothers’ wife.
9. Sushma Kerketta
Place Ketari Bagan
Matter went before Nari Adalat then Mahila Ayog
Facts- the complainant had a love marriage. Later, her husband
was found to be in illicit relationship with another lady. The
complainant wanted him to break away from her which the husband
refused to.
Judgment- not sorted. Matter went up to Mahila Ayog.
10. Rosemary:
25
Place Argora
Matter went before: Nari Adalat
Facts: the victim and her fellow classmates were raped and
sexually harassed by a school master who threatened them of not
revealing anything. The victim approached Nari Adalat.
Judgment: matter was taken up to the Thana, and the accused was
punished.
COMMUNITY: ADOLOCENT/ UNMARRIED GIRLS
11. Gudia Kumari
Place- Sajid Ali LAne
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- Girl when minor eloped with her lover and married him. The
boy met an accident and succumbed to injuries leaving behind the
girl and a child. the boys’ family refuses to accept girl or her
child.
Judgment- not sorted. No proof of marriage. Marriage was illegal
in itself as the girl was minor.
12. Sonam Khalko
Place- Dhurwa
Matter went before- Nari Adalat
Facts- father had married twice. According to the customary rules
girl child shall not inherit property. So the complainant is
denied of her rights.
Judgment- not yet sorted.
Non MS Survey26
COMMUNITY: MUSLIM (OBC)
1. Naima Parween : no family disharmony. If occurs will approach Nari Adalat if
required.
2. Aasma Khaatoon: do
3. Shabnam Parween:do
4. Noorjahaan: do
5. Rasheeda Khaatoon: do
6. Nikhat Parween: do
7. Hasratoon Parween: do
8. Niasmin:do
9. Ishrat Parween: do. Brought her sisters’ matter (related to domestic violence ) to
Nari Adalat.
10.Samina Khaatoon: Family disputes occur. Internal disharmony. Did not approach
Nari Adalat. Considers family disputes are best resolved within the four walls of
the house. Will not prefer Nari Adalat.
COMMUNITY: HETEROGENOUS
1. Vimla Devi: husband abandoned the victim with her 6 yrs. Old daughter. Did not
approach Nari Adalat because of other family problems in parents’ place. Now she
wishes to approach the same for maintenance.
2. Aasha devi:husband abandoned the lady and seeks divorse from the court. Matter
has already gone to court hence Nari Adalat cannot help.
3. Gita Devi: no family disharmony. If occurs will approach Nari Adalat if required.
4. Suman Chourasia:do
5. Shila Devi:do
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6. Manju Devi:do
7. Shikha Devi:do
8. Chinta Devi: do
9. Radha Devi: do
10.Nirmala Devi:do
COMMUNITY: ST
1. Jayanti Toppo- no family disharmony. If occurs will approach Nari Adalat if
required.
2. Shobha Tirkey-do
3. Aasha Kacchap-do
4. Seema Toppo- do
5. Sandhya Toppo- do
6. Sabita Toppo- do
7. Parwati Khalko- do
8. Naymanti Khalko- do
9. Seema Soreng- do
10.Suman Soreng- do
COMMUNITY: ADOLOCENT/UNMARRIED GIRLS
1. Soni Kumari: no family disharmony. If occurs will approach Nari Adalat if
required.
2. Suman Rani Toppo- do
Chapter VIII
An interactive session
28
An interaction with the workers made it specifically clear
regarding the working process of the cell.
Tahira Begum (member)
Takes in the cases and helps to sort out the same. She underwent
training at Gujarat and ever since has been remodeling the
structure of existing Nari Adalat. She along with other workers
visits the complainant for follow ups once the matter is being
made to compromise.
Anjum Ara (sahyogini)
Helps in sorting out the cases. Also assists in follow ups and
rescuing teams.
Soni (member)
Pens down the statements of the complainant and defendant which
are later examined by the members looking into the matter.
Niasmin (member ) Pens down the statements of the complainant and
defendant which are later examined by the members looking into
the matter.
Aasha devi: Samooh member
Matters are tried to be sorted on the Samooh level at first. If
the result does not come out, there, then the matter is taken up
to Nari Adalat. Usually the victims approach them but if they get
to know about some disharmony, they themselves approach the
victims and try to counsel them
Nari adalat: a success
29
Nari adalat as per my survey has been successful in forming a
network, and has made a channelized approach in eking out itself
as a house hold name. Though the Adalat is situated in Sadar
area, it has been receiving cases from all over the state.
My survey report states very clearly that people from far and
wide places have been participating and encouraging other women
as well.
To make this part a success, women in all localities forms a
SAMOOH, in which time to time they sit together to solve various
family disputes. It is tried that the matters are solved then and
there, but if their efforts fail, they bring the cases to the
Nari Adalat office.
The women of the Sadar locality are actively participating in
meetings, show keen interest in bringing up the matter to the
Adalat. Their active participation helps the Nari Adalat workers
to mark on victims who due to several causes fail to approach the
workers.
There has been remarkable change in functioning of the cell, and
each new case marks new experience and innovations to sort them
out.
Women from all community and social strata prefer Nari Adalat, as
it has been an easy platform, socially acceptable and easy
dispute solving arena.
Though the cases of murder, land disputes, abduction and
kidnapping have been struck off the list of Nari Adalat, yet the
adventurous and outstanding female workers leave no stone
30
unturned to figure out solutions to these problems as well. In my
survey report, cases of dowry death, abduction, kidnapping and
land disputes and matter related to sex racket and pornography
have also been mentioned, which shows the daring state of affairs
these workers are in for the safety of the fairer sex of our
society. Case related to pornography even involved serious media
intervention.
STATUS OF NARI ADALAT
Particulars Figures (2010-2011)
Total Nari Adalat 9
Total registered cases 102
ST 15
SC 11
OBC 19
Minority 51
General 6
Total solved cases 68
Cases under process 15
Unsolved cases 14
Cases referred from police station 5
Cases referred from else where 6
Cases referred to police station 4
31
Cases referred to others 1
Future challengesTo establish the name of Nari Adalat in every nook and
corner of the state.
To raise issues in relation with women empowerment and
impart them the same throughout.
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Chapter IX
Findings of studyThroughout the survey, the assumable result is that the Adalat
has been socially accepted. The workers of this federation do not
work for any salary, or personal benefits. The main reason
attached to this is that most of the associated women have been
sufferers of the brunt of this patriarchal society. They work
together not for any profit, but for betterment of this society.
The complainants seem to be well satisfied with the outcome of
judgment and there have been very few cases wherein the case has
been referred to some other cell like ‘Mahila Ayog’. Even the
nearby residents visit when the ‘Adalat’ is called in. Their
reviews suggest the federation is successful enough to impart the
message of equality, rights and duties.
Nari adalat has now emerged as a parallel group of Mahila
Samakhya society, rather than being just a small part of it.
Many of the times, these women have acted as rescue groups as
well to save girls being sold, abducted, to be shipped or those
fled.
Suggestions1. Since the cell has been formed for protection and
development of women community, the same does not stand alone.
33
There are various communities in existence, which needs to work
hand in hand to provide accurate statistics.
2. Though the entire country suffers from the major problem of
dowry, only a few cases were reported to this cell. This indeed
concludes that the women still are feeling unsecure to bring
forth the matter of dowry harassment out of four corners of the
house. This loophole needs to be fixed by appropriate counseling
to the women.
3. Police especially should be made to cooperate with the
workers as certain matters which they handles requires instant
raid which is not handy when it comes to these female workers.
Recommendations1) Though the workers charge a sum of 251/-, the Amount is charged
only out of the ones who can affords it, and the amount which
they can. That clearly shows that the meager amount is not
sufficient to keep such stronghold of society intact. There
should hence be a fund for maintenance and miscellaneous purposes
related to the official works.
2) For the rescue operations they perform, they require a separate
fund for that purpose, which can be used in first aid to the
victims, or for the journey expenditure meted out during such
operations.
34
3) Once in a while, heads of all similar cells along with the police
department should sit together to figure out not only the
solutions to upcoming cases, but to kill the root cause itself.
Annexure
35
List of respondent
Sl.NO.
Respondents Place
1. Anju Kumari Chutia2. Asrafi Ansari Bariatu3. Gayatri Gupta Kanke4. Ginita Chatterjee Kadru 5 1. Gudia Kumari Sajid Ali Lane6 Jhulan Devi Hetu7 Jyoti Tigga Hinoo8 Kaushalya Devi Hinoo9 Madina Khaatoon Gumla10 Mainum Nissar Mandar11 Meera Devi Gumla 12 Meera Devi Bharmo13 Meera Devi karbala chowk14 Munni Azad Basti15 Musharrat Parween Kadru16 Nasima Khatoon Karbala Chowk17 Nazia Parween Azad Basti18 Nikhat Parween Azad Colony19 Nirmala kujur Gungu toil20 Parwati Khalko Dangra toil21 Prabha Devi hetu( hinoo)22 Pramila kumhar toil23 Rosemary Argora24 Sakshi Jha Pahari Tola25 Sapna Soreng Bariatu26 Shabnam Gumla27 Shakeel Ahmed Azad Basti28 Shamina Khaatoon Doranda29 Shehnaz Hazaribagh30 Sonam Khalko Dhurwa31 Sushma Kerketta Ketari Bagan32 Sushma Kumar Gungu Toli
List of persons interacted
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SL.NO. NAME PLACE1. Aasha devi Nazir Ali lane2. Aasha Kacchap Azad Basti3 Aasma Khaatoon Nazir Ali lane4 Anjum Ara Nazir Ali lane5 Chinta Devi Nazir Ali lane6 Gita Devi Nazir Ali lane7 Hasratoon Parween Kadru8 Ishrat Parween Kadru9 Jayanti Toppo Azad Basti10 Manju Devi Nazir Ali lane11 Naima Parween Kadru12 Naymanti Khalko Azad Basti13 Niasmin Nazir Ali lane14 Nikhat Parween Kadru15 Nirmala Devi Nazir Ali lane16 Noorjahaan Kadru17 Parwati Khalko Azad Basti18 Radha Devi Nazir Ali lane19 Rasheeda Khaatoon Nazir Ali lane20 Sabita Toppo Azad Basti21 Samina Khaatoon. Nazir Ali lane22 Sandhya Toppo Azad Basti23 Seema Soreng Azad Basti24 Seema Toppo Azad Basti25 Shabnam Parween Nazir Ali lane26 Shikha Devi Nazir Ali lane27 Shila Devi Nazir Ali lane28 Shobha Tirkey Azad Basti29 3. Soni Kumari Nazir Ali lane30 Suman Chourasia Nazir Ali lane31 Suman Rani Toppo Bariatu32 Suman Soreng Azad Basti33 Tahira Begum Nazir Ali lane34 Vimla Devi Nazir Ali lane
37