Neelam Gorhe (sitting in middle) with Kolhapur officials
She said a joint standard operating procedure (SOP) will be drafted by the health and police departments to prevent cases from collapsing due to procedural flaws. The task force chief expressed dissatisfaction with the awareness and enforcement efforts of Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC). She directed the civic body to submit an independent report on inspections, actions taken, and ongoing court cases within its jurisdiction, and to prepare a centre-wise action programme within a month. Additionally, a joint meeting involving the municipal commissioner, police, health officers, gynaecologists, and social organisations will be convened. She also emphasised the need to provide legal assistance and training to officers facing hurdles while performing their duties.
Planning must ensure continuity in court follow-ups even after officer transfers, and operational confidentiality must be strictly maintained,” Gorhe said. She suggested studying past cases of both convictions and acquittals to help formulate the SOP. “Joint training and practical drills should be conducted regarding panchnamas, equipment seizures and sealing, preservation of evidence, and court complaint procedures. The chronological sequence of each action and official records must be properly preserved.
Gorhe chaired a meeting with Kolhapur district officials on Wednesday to review the implementation of both acts.