While the ongoing lockdown has been imposed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in efforts to reduce the novel Corona virus, a number of other issues have been brought to the surface which require immediate attention of the State, vis-a-vis the given situation. 

Once such major issue, which needs immediate tending is the increasing number of domestic violence cases which have been brought into light. These cases have risen tremendously during the lockdown period since the victims are confined with their abusers and have no other place or shelter to go to, given the restriction on movement. As a result, a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court, by Mr. Arjun Sayal and Ms. Mithu Jain diverting the attention of the respondents towards this problem. 

The respondents, included the Central government, the Delhi government, the National Commission for Women as well as the Delhi Commission for Women and all other concerned authorities. 

The petition was filed in order to evoke the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 as well as the necessary provisions from the Disaster Management Act. The petitioner prayed in the plea to direct the concerned respondents to take all necessary measures and steps to provide protection and care for the victims who have been abused, and provide them with the require attention and counselling to help them through the situation. 

The respondents provided a detailed report in this behalf to the court. The Additional Solicitor General, also provided with the order issued keeping into view the spike in the domestic violence cases in the prevailing situation. Through this Order, the District Collectors or Magistrates have been directed to make suitable and necessary duty rosters which will allow the concerned officers to take all the required steps to provide the essential services needed by such victims, in the most efficient and effective way possible. 

Moreover, the Court has also directed all the respondents to conduct a high level meeting as soon as possible, to discuss the steps and measures that have been already taken and develop more efficient ways and measures to provide all the necessary facilities and utmost protection to the victims.