The Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) is a statutory body constituted under the Maharashtra State Commission for Women Act, 1993. It can entertain complaints concerning deprivation of women's rights, non-implementation of laws protecting women, and non-compliance with policies or instructions intended to provide welfare and relief to women.
Maharashtra State Commission for Women: current legal framework
The Commission is established under Maharashtra Act No. XV of 1993. Section 10 sets out its functions. These include examining safeguards available to women, taking up violations of laws relating to women, entertaining complaints, taking suo motu notice in appropriate matters, giving guidance to needy women for proceedings, studying discrimination and atrocities, and recommending remedial action.
The Commission has also adopted the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (Procedure) Regulations, 2021. These regulations expressly deal with registration and handling of complaints.
What complaints can be filed with MSCW?
A complaint should concern the rights, protection, dignity or welfare of women and fall within the Commission's statutory functions. Depending on the facts, matters commonly taken up may include:
- Domestic violence, matrimonial or family disputes affecting a woman's rights or safety.
- Dowry demands, dowry harassment and related abuse.
- Sexual harassment or other harassment at the workplace.
- Molestation, sexual violence, stalking, intimidation or other violence against women.
- Property, maintenance, shelter or other rights-related problems involving women.
- Failure of an authority to implement a law, safeguard, policy or direction intended to protect women.
- Other discrimination, exploitation or deprivation of women's rights within the Commission's statutory remit.
How to file an MSCW complaint online
The current MSCW website provides a direct Complaint Registration form. The old IP-address/FileTracking link shown in earlier versions of this guide has been removed because the Commission now provides the complaint form on its official mscw.org.in domain.
- Open the official Maharashtra State Commission for Women website.
- Select Register Your Complaint, or go directly to the current Complaint Registration page.
- Enter the Applicant Name.
- Enter the Applicant Address, mobile number and email address.
- Enter the name, email and address of the Non-Applicant, where known and applicable.
- Write a clear Complaint Description. State the important facts in date order and explain the relief, assistance or intervention required.
- Complete the CAPTCHA/security verification displayed on the official form.
- Review the details and submit the form.
- Keep any acknowledgement, reference or communication received from the Commission for future follow-up.
Information and documents to keep ready
The current public online form is simpler than the older form reproduced on this page and does not display the long list of upload fields previously shown. However, relevant supporting records should be kept ready because the Commission may need them while examining the complaint.
| Information / record | Why it may be useful |
|---|---|
| Identity and contact details | For identifying and communicating with the complainant. |
| Address/contact of non-applicant | Useful for notice, communication or counselling where appropriate. |
| Short chronology of events | Helps explain what happened, when it happened and what action has already been taken. |
| Police complaint / FIR / NCR, if any | Relevant where the matter has already been reported to police. |
| Court or tribunal documents, if any | Important where litigation or proceedings are already pending. |
| Workplace records, messages, emails or notices | May support allegations involving workplace harassment or discrimination. |
| Medical, property, maintenance or other supporting records | Useful where directly connected with the relief sought. |
Do not upload or circulate unrelated sensitive personal information. Provide only documents relevant to the complaint and use the Commission's official channel when additional records are requested.
How MSCW can deal with a complaint
The 2021 Procedure Regulations define a complaint broadly to include a complaint received from an aggrieved woman, a complaint made on her behalf by an individual or organisation, and matters taken up suo motu. The Regulations provide that an aggrieved person may file a complaint in writing, orally, through an advocate or through media/methods developed by the Commission.
The Commission may examine the matter, seek records, call parties or authorities, provide counselling or guidance, and take up the issue with the State Government or appropriate authority as permitted by the 1993 Act. In suitable matters, the Act also permits recommendations concerning legal proceedings or prosecution.
Important laws that may apply to complaints involving women
The exact law depends on the facts. Important enactments commonly relevant to complaints involving violence, harassment or discrimination against women include:
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 - civil protection and related reliefs for domestic violence.
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 - workplace sexual-harassment prevention and redressal.
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 - prohibition of giving, taking and demanding dowry, subject to the Act.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 - prevention and legal consequences of child marriage.
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) - sexual offences against children.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024, for relevant criminal offences and criminal procedure.
The Women and Child Development Department of Maharashtra currently publishes links to important laws including the Domestic Violence Act, POCSO Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and workplace sexual-harassment law.
Current MSCW and emergency contacts
MSCW address: Gruhnirman Bhavan, Mezzanine Floor, Bandra (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051. The current MSCW website lists the email address mscwmahilaayog@gmail.com.