The State Women’s Commission has adopted a strict stance regarding the alleged suicide of a 35-year-old resident at the Government Nari Niketan (Women’s Shelter). Taking serious cognizance of the incident, Commission Chairperson Kusum Kandwal issued telephonic directives to District Magistrate Savin Bansal, instructing him to initiate a high-level inquiry into the matter and submit a detailed report to the Commission immediately. The Chairperson stated that such an incident is deeply concerning—and raises questions regarding operational protocols—within a government institution where the responsibility for the safety and mental well-being of women rests entirely with the administration.
District Probation Officer Meena Bisht informed that the deceased had been residing at the institution for the past six months, and her mental health had been showing signs of improvement. She further explained that during a routine round at 11:00 PM, a staff member had observed the woman sleeping in her bed; however, during the subsequent round at 3:00 AM, she was found hanging from the staircase railing. The Commission has expressed strong objection regarding this four-hour time gap and the potential lapses in security protocols.
Kusum Kandwal directed that a thorough investigation be conducted into the conduct of all staff members who were on duty at the time of the incident, and that the reasons behind the failure in night-time surveillance be clearly established. The Commission has issued directives to implement corrective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. These measures include formulating a specialized plan to ensure the safety of mentally unwell residents, increasing the number of CCTV cameras, and augmenting the staff strength during night shifts.
Furthermore, emphasis has been placed on ensuring a round-the-clock active surveillance system within sensitive wards and corridors. Additionally, the scope of the inquiry extends to determining whether the woman was suffering from mental distress due to any external pressure, fear, or family-related issues. The Commission has unequivocally stated that if negligence is detected at any stage of the investigation, strict departmental and punitive action will be initiated against the individuals held responsible. District Magistrate Savin Bansal confirmed that the post-mortem examination of the deceased has been completed and that a comprehensive inquiry into the entire matter is currently underway. He further assured that stringent security measures to safeguard the residents of the Nari Niketan would be implemented shortly
