The Basavangudi Women’s Police Station that was established in 2004 to redress the problems of women has almost become defunct over the past year. With less than half of the sanctioned strength posted at the police station, cases are being referred to adjacent police stations. Adding to the woes, the station is functioning without a station house officer.
While a police sub-inspector sent to the police station on deputation returned to her position a few months ago, the station has 16 staff as against the sanctioned strength of 35, said a senior police officer.
“Even among the existing staff, many are reporting sick due to over work. With the skeletal staff and no senior officers to handle the cases, the police station has been reduced to a mere counselling centre as cases are being referred to other police stations,” the officer said.
Another official at the station said that since they were are not empowered to register cases, they only counsel and advise complainants.
The staff are now being used by the neighbouring police station whenever they deal with cases involving women, the official said.
An official blamed the situation at the Basavangudi Women’s Police Station on the shortage of women police personnel. “We are not getting enough women staff, and many of the projects on women’s safety have also been stalled.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Banashankari sub-division) S. Suresh Babu admitted that there was shortage of staff but maintained that the normal work had not been hampered. “We are getting the assistance of the adjacent police station to register and investigate cases,” he said.
When the matter was brought to the notice of Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi, he said a station house officer would be appointed soon.
Functioning well
The only other all-woman police station is at Ulsoor Gate, and as against that in Basavangudi it is functioning well.
