Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 25 Aug: In an extraordinary intervention, the District Magistrate of Dehradun, Savin Bansal has exercised his special powers under the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goondas Act, 1970 (as applicable in Uttarakhand), to safeguard a widow from her two abusive, drug-addicted sons who have allegedly turned her life into a nightmare. The matter was brought directly before the DM during a public hearing, instead of taking the conventional routes involving police stations, courts, or legal counsels, by a widow named Vijay Lakshmi Panwar, a resident of Bhagirathpuram in Banjarawala.
The complainant, wife of the late Mohan Singh Panwar, approached the DM on 22 August, pleading for immediate protection. She alleged that her sons, including Shubham Panwar and another son, were addicted to drugs and alcohol, and routinely subjected her to physical assault and death threats in order to extort money. She expressed grave apprehension that they might kill her in her own dwelling.
Moved by the urgency of the situation, the DM ordered a confidential inquiry on the same day. The investigation, conducted with inputs from local residents, neighbours, and public representatives, confirmed the veracity of the widow’s claims. The inquiry officer recommended that the sons be kept away from the complainant to ensure her safety. Acting promptly on the findings, the DM initiated proceedings under the Goonda Act within two hours, asserting that when a mother herself approaches the administration in distress, procedural formalities must not obstruct timely justice. He emphasised that the protection of the vulnerable widow was of utmost priority and that he would not allow bureaucratic delays to compromise her safety.
Notices were issued to both sons, directing the sons to appear before the DM’s court tomorrow (26 August 2025) at 10:30 a.m., either personally or through legal representation. The DM warned that failure to comply would result in expedited proceedings. In a statement issued today, the district administration claimed that the Collectorate is being reimagined as a temple of justice, where swift hearings and immediate decisions were being delivered on cases involving maintenance, harassment, and exploitation. Official sources have indicated that the accused sons may soon face externment from the district, marking a rare but resolute administrative stand against familial abuse.
