Woman Commission Member Clashes With Police Over Station Visit

A recent notice issued by Kanpur joint police commissioner Vinod Kumar Singh to State Women's Commission member Anita Gupta has ignited a public debate regarding authority and jurisdiction. The notice, sent on November 24, stated that commission members are not authorized to directly inspect police stations, causing disruptions to police functioning. This communication went viral on social media, drawing criticism for its tone and content.

Gupta contested the notice, asserting her rights under the State Women Commission Act 2004 and clarifying her visit to Barra police station was not an inspection but an effort to gather information on a specific case with the inspector's consent. She alleged the notice's language reflected a dismissive attitude towards women. The matter has been escalated to the commission's chairperson and the Director General of Police for further action.

Police commissioner Raghubir Lal intervened, stating Gupta's visit was related to a complaint resolution, a common occurrence. He clarified that the notice only addressed the jurisdiction of inspections, not the right to visit. Lal emphasized that mutual coordination is crucial for protecting women's dignity and controlling crimes against women, and that he had spoken to both parties to resolve the misunderstanding.