Monday, September 5 2005 19:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: National Commission for Women today (Sept 5, 2005) expressed concern over the "negligence" on the part of the police in Karnataka in filing cases against those involved in dowry death offences, which were on the rise in the state.

Even as more than 100 dowry related death cases have been reported since July this year, not even a case has been registered by the investigating agency, Commission Chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters winding up her two-day visit to the state.

She said that while 278 dowry death cases were reported during 2002-03, 230 in 2004-04 and 147 till July, domestic violence committed against women and children was growing at an alarming rate.

So far during this year, 1551 cases of domestic violence had been reported, she said, after interacting with NGOs, Civil Society Members, Chief Secretary B K Das and officials of the Women and Child Welfare department to assess the status of women in Karnataka.

Vyas said Karnataka DGP B S Sial has promised her that a special women desk would be set up at all police stations within a month and the state has also agreed to set up courts near Jails for speedy trial of women prisoners including undertrials.

To check female foeticide, the commission has asked the state to set up a multi-member committee, she said. The Commission has also urged the state to revamp Family Courts, which were suffering from shortage of presiding officers and staff, she said, expressing displeasure over their working in the state.

However, she gave a pat to Karnataka saying, the number of atrocities committed against women were low compared to other states.