2,761 complaints pending before Maharashtra women’s commission, govt yet to appoint chairperson & six members: RTI reply

Pune: Over 2,700 complaints were pending before the Maharashtra State Commission for Women at the end of the last financial year, with key positions in the panel remaining vacant, an RTI reply obtained by city-based activist Vihar Durve has revealed.

The post of chairperson has been vacant since March 20, when Rupali Chakankar resigned. In addition, the tenure of six non-official members ended in Jan, leaving the commission significantly understaffed. As per its mandated structure, the commission is meant to have nine members, including a chairperson, six non-official members, a member secretary and an ex-officio police officer.

According to data provided by the commission, 2,761 complaints were pending as of March 31, 2026. During the financial year 2025-26, the panel disposed of 15,560 cases. The reply to RTI query was issued on May 18 by the commission’s public information officer.

Marital disputes accounted for the largest share of pending cases at 1,020, followed by complaints related to social issues, including rape and allied offences, at 741. Property disputes made up another 319 pending cases. The commission also reported 169 workplace harassment complaints and 35 sexual harassment cases awaiting resolution.

In total, the commission handled 18,321 complaints over the last financial year, of which 16,150 were newly registered and 2,171 were carried forward from previous years. The data also indicated a steady rise in pendency. Pending cases stood at 2,550 in Dec 2025, rose to 2,637 by the Jan-end (2026) and reached 2,761 by March-end.

Activist Durve said the delay in appointing a new chairperson and members could hamper the commission’s functioning and slow down the disposal of complaints. “The delay amounts to a violation of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women Act, 1993,” he said, adding that repeated high court directives on timely appointments had not been complied with.

Women’s rights activists emphasised the need for experienced and grassroots-level professionals to be appointed to the panel. They argued that individuals with direct experience in handling issues like domestic violence, workplace harassment, and gender rights would be better equipped to address the growing caseload. “One cannot rely on purely political appointments. The commission needs people who understand ground realities,” an activist said.

Meanwhile, complainants have expressed concern over delays in case hearings. One woman who approached the commission said there was an urgent need for faster resolution of cases to ensure timely justice for those seeking help.