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RJD MP Sudhakar Singh has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Delhi High Court of Delhi over alleged continued non-functioning of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). The post of chairperson is vacant since January 2024, PIL said.
He has sought direction to fill the vacant post of Chairperson within a fixed timeframe; and to Secure continued judicial monitoring to prevent future institutional paralysis. The PIL, filed through Advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, likely to come for hearing in coming week before Delhi High Court. The petition has highlighted that the DCW has remained physically inaccessible and operationally defunct for a prolonged period. Despite its critical statutory mandate, the DCW's office has reportedly remained closed during working hours, with no functional helpdesk, officers, or staff available to receive or process complaints from women in distress, petitioner claims. The petition further highlighted that the post of Chairperson of the Commission has remained vacant since January 2024, resulting in a complete absence of leadership, administrative accountability, and effective functioning. This institutional vacuum has allegedly led to the collapse of essential statutory mechanisms, including family counselling units, rape crisis cells, crisis intervention services, and grievance redressal systems. The PIL mentioned that the continued inaction of the authorities amounts to a serious violation of Articles 14, 15(3), and 21 of the Constitution of India, denying women access to justice, protection, and institutional support particularly at a time when Delhi continues to record among the highest incidents of crimes against women in the country. The Petitioner has sought time-bound and structured directions for restoring full physical and administrative functioning of the Commission, to ensure adequate staffing and operational readiness of all statutory programs. The Petitioner has stated that a statutory body created to protect women cannot be allowed to exist merely on paper. The continued dormancy of the Delhi Commission for Women strikes at the very heart of constitutional governance and women's access to justice. The Petitioner had also filed a detailed representations on 26.12.2025 to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, and to Lieutenant Governor, highlighting the continued non-functioning of the DCW and the serious constitutional consequences flowing therefrom. Despite the gravity of the issues raised, no effective remedial steps were taken, the plea said. (ANI)
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