PUNE: Three years after the passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016, a Special Court will be established in Pune to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwD (Divyangjan).
Similar courts are expected in 10 other districts also. They are also expected to handle cases related to senior citizens.
In Pune, the Special Court will function from the ground floor of the old building at the District Court premises in Shivajinagar.
Rafique Khan, spokesperson of Prahar Apang Kranti Andolan, an organisation, welcomed the move and requested that changes in infrastructure should be made to make the premises Divyang-friendly. “We hope to get speedy justice through the Special Court. There should be a ramp to approach the premises besides seating arrangements and toilets,” he added.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 replaced the existing PwD Act, 1995. The new Act is expected to bring law in line with the UNCRPD, to which India is a signatory.
The new law has enhanced the Rights and Entitlements of Divyangjan and also provided effective mechanism for ensuring their empowerment and true inclusion into the society in a satisfactory manner.
Ushering in change