ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN <!--[if gte mso 10]> ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN By Chaudry Hassan Nawaz, Former Director-General Federal Judicial Academy Introduction: By way of introduction, reference may be made to the Family Planning Association's Manual on "Institutional Strengthening to Combat Domestic Violence against Women" (Burn Cases) "where it has been said that by promulgation of section 174-A in the Criminal Procedure Code, a sincere and well-thought effort has been made to fulfil the international and constitutional obligations of the State, but no tangible change has, however, been effected in the violence against women, particularly burn cases issue, despite promulgation of this special legal provision." SECTION 174-A, Cr.P.C. Grievous injury by burns: (1) Where a person, grievously injured by burns through fire, kerosene oil, acid, chemical or by any other way, is brought to Medical Officer on duty designated by the Provincial Government for this purpose or, such incident is reported to the officer-in-charge of a police station such medical officer on duty, or as the case the case may be, officer-in-charge of a police station, shall immediately give intimation thereof to the nearest Magistrate. Simultaneously, the Medical Officer on duty shall record the statement of the injured person immediately on arrival so as to ascertain the circumstances and cause of the burn injuries. The statement shall also be recorded by the Magistrate in case the injured person is still in a position to make the statement. (2) The Medical Officer on duty, or, as the case may be, the Magistrate before recording the statement under subsection (1), shall satisfy himself that the injured person is not under any threat or duress. The statement so recorded shall be forwarded to the Sessions Judge and also to the District Superintendent of Police and officer incharge of the police station, for such action as may be necessary under this Code. (3) If the injured person is unable, for any reasons, to make the statement before the Magistrate, his statement recorded by the Medical