Filing Of Writ Petition Only For Directions To Create Awareness Regarding Certain Laws Is Not Proper

DR. SYED RIZWAN AHMED V. UNION OF INDIA THRU SECY. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS & ANR

• On 5th November, 2020 the Bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Saurabh Lavania were hearing to a Writ Petition, when they noticed that such petitions are filed only for the sake of Popularity.
• The Petitioner was praying for Directions to Create awareness regarding certain laws and was not proper.
• The Petition was filed by Dr. Syed Rizwan Ahmed, seeking a direction upon respondent Nos, 1 and 2.
• India thru secy. Ministry of Home Affairs and anr. was the No. 1 respondent in the Case.
• Earlier, a letter dated 04.09.2018 was issued to Joint Secretary, CS Division, Ministry of Home Affairs requesting to take appropriate steps in the matter of Issues.
• The Nos. 2 Respondent was to organize public awareness campaigns by way of hoardings and releasing informatory audio and visual programmes to educate the public regarding sexual violence and the laws on issue related to crimes against women and laws of 13th Criminal Law Amendment Act.
• It has been informed by learned Addl. C.S.C. that the State of U.P. has already launched the Mission "Shakti" for the protection and security of the women in the State. The aim of the Mission is to reduce the crime against women.

STATEMENTS MADE BY BENCH

• In view of aforesaid facts and circumstances, in the absence of specific allegations that Government has not taken any concrete steps regarding awareness of said laws, we do not find it to be a fit case for issuing any direction in exercise of our extraordinary jurisdiction.
• Every citizen of the country is presumed to be aware of the laws of the land. But even then, it may be necessary at times to create awareness.
• The courts may in a given case, if necessary, may issue directions for taking steps for creating awareness regarding certain laws, but filing of writ petition only for the above purpose is not proper.
• It appears that such petitions are filed only for the sake of popularity. Moreover, we do not find from the averments made in the petition that the Government has not taken any steps for creating awareness on the aforesaid law.
• Accordingly, the Writ Petition was Dismissed.

WHAT IS MISSION SHAKTI?

• Mission Shakti is a six-month drive to ensure safety and security of women and children.
• The campaign was initiated by various ministers, public representatives and senior officials in all 75 districts across the state.
• Under Mission Shakti, different awareness and training programs will be conducted regarding various schemes for the protection, respect and self-reliance of women and girls.
• Women nodal officers have been appointed by government in all the districts for the execution and monitoring of the campaign.
• Various competitive and cultural programmes on women empowerment awareness will also be connected during the campaign.
• On 17th October, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath had launched the programme coinciding with the beginning of Navratri.
• The Chief Minister said, In the first phase of the Mission Shakti programme, they are going to spread awareness on women safety.
• In the second phase, legal action will be taken, and
• In the third phase, they will launch massive action against two kinds of people one who are a threat to the security of women and those who are promoting wide-scale corruption in schemes meant for the welfare of women.

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