Failure to appear before the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) once summoned will now result in the issuance of arrest warrant and attachment of property by the commission, it emerged on Monday.

DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said the commission has the authority to issue arrest warrants and order attachment of property and salary if a person disobeys its summons, under the Delhi Commission for Women Act, 1994.

“The Act lays down the powers and functions of the DCW. Under the Act, the commission is given the powers of a civil court in matters of trying a suit along with the powers of issuing summons and calling for documents. According to Civil Procedure Court, if summons are disobeyed, then a person can be arrested. Thus, the commission has the power to issue arrest warrants and order attachment of property and salary if a person disobeys its summons,” she added.

She said that when she took charge she found too many complaints in which people had not responded, despite having been issued summons. “There were two problems — one that we were issuing random summons, and second, at times when summons were being issued, people failed to appear before the DCW. So, I read the Delhi Commission for Women Act, 1994, and found that the commission has the powers to issue arrest warrants, etc. I wondered why it was not being implemented.”

“I sought the opinion of Former Additional Solicitor General of India Indira Jaising to be doubly sureand she gave it in writing, clarifying that the commission has the authority to issue arrest warrants and property attachments.”

Swati Maliwal said when she took charge as DCW chief she found too many complaints in which people had not responded, despite having been issued summons