Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Duty to provide protection and provision of safe-houses.- (1) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the State to make arrangements for the protection of victims, their dependents and witnesses against any kind of intimidation or coercion or inducement or violence or threats of violence. (2) Any person or persons can make complaints, file representations or letters to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or the District Magistrate or the jurisdictional police seeking protection from any person or any unlawful assembly who are likely to or who have been objecting to any marriage. (3) Upon receiving such complaint or representation, the Sub- Divisional Magistrate or District Magistrate shall immediately take appropriate steps to provide protection to the said person, including giving appropriate directions for the same to the police. The police if they receive such a complaint, or request for protection, shall immediately and not later than 6 hours, provide protection and safety measures to the said persons, in such manner as they deem fit, but not limited to finding a shelter home or by any other means. (4) It shall be the duty of the State Government to provide homes for couples in need of shelter and a safe place to stay. There should be adequate security for the protection of these couples in these shelter homes, with due regard to their privacy. In the safe houses, the couple shall have access and the facilities to meet with their lawyers or members from any Non Governmental Organization providing them support and assistance. (5) The State Government shall establish a safe house at each District Headquarter for persons whose rights under Section 3 of the Act are under threat. (6) It shall be the duty of the State Government to frame a scheme for protection and rehabilitation of victims and witnesses under this Act and such scheme may include provision of immediate relief.