This makes us sad: India’s capital, New Delhi, records 2 rapes a day, a 24% rise in 2012

The protesters claimed it, the media reported it and the Opposition parties harped on it. Still, the biggest confirmation of the “unsafe for women” status of the national Capital has come from the records of the Delhi Police which show a 24 per cent rise in the number of rape cases in 2012.

According to Delhi Police data, as many as 706 cases of rape – almost two per day – were registered in 2012, which is around 24 per cent more than the 572 cases reported in 2011.

Even worse, the city witnessed 45 rapes (three in a day) and 75 cases of molestation (five in a day on an average) in 15 days after the December 16 gang rape of the 23-year-old paramedic in a moving bus in South Delhi.

Indian women carry placards as they march to mourn the death of a gang rape victim in New DelhiIndian women carry placards as they march to mourn the death of a gang rape victim in New Delhi

It seems the heinous crime, which shook the entire nation, forced the police to finally pull up their socks and take rape complaints seriously.

Crime figures

In contrast to the 2012 figures, only eight rape cases had come to light in the last fortnight in 2011.

Registered cases of molestation have also increased by about 11 per cent in 2012. In 2011, 657 cases of molestation were registered by the police while 727 molestation complaints were converted into formal FIRs in 2012. Even police commissioner Neeraj Kumar acknowledged at the annual press conference on Friday that the gang rape case was the real ‘turning point’.

“This incident had all the propulsion to effect a change in the way we look at women and crimes against them,” he said, adding that the incident has the strength to bring a major change in the legal system. “This is a watershed in the criminal justice system of India,” he said.

The press conference started by paying homage to the gang rape victim.

One of the most brutal cases of crimes against women, the gang-rape of the paramedic was committed by strangers who were out on a joyride in a chartered bus.

The Delhi Police data, however, revealed that in 96.32 per cent rape cases, relatives and acquaintances were involved.

Commenting on this, psychologist Deepali Kapoor from Apollo Hospital said: “There are three basic needs of human beings – hunger, sex and thirst.

Every man has a tendency to satisfy these needs and he looks for a medium to do so. If a man wants to have a physical relationship and he cannot find it outside his house, he looks for women in his own house, which is one of the reasons why women get raped by their own relatives.”

Sociologists feel it is the patriarchal mindset of people that doesn’t allow women to be free and safe. “The patriarchal mindset has always been about suppressing women.

The mindset has not changed in ages. The only thing that has changed is the number of women going for careers and living independent lives, which have made men feel insecure.

Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar and other senior officers observe silence to remember the gang rape victim at their annual press conference on FridayDelhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar and other senior officers observe silence to remember the gang rape victim at their annual press conference on Friday

This insecurity makes them subject women to torture,” said Dr Reema Bhatia, associate professor, Miranda House. Though gaps in policing and lack of stringent action have resulted in more crimes against women, the dynamics of the city is also to blame.

 

Rape black spots in capital

“Given the variety of migrants in the Capital, rape cases will increase. In a culture where people think that women are responsible for anything wrong happening to them, violence against women cannot be ruled out,” Shiv Viswanathan, an eminent sociologist told MAIL TODAY.

The police have now made many promises. They are ready to fight crimes against women, better still prevent them.

Kumar enlisted a wide range of measures on Friday that will probably make the city a tad bit safer for women.

“Delhi Police helpline, which earlier operated till 8 pm, is now functioning 24×7. The issue of jurisdiction will not be a hindrance whenever prompt response is required from the force,” the police commissioner said.

Every woman desk in police stations has been given an exclusive phone line. Those which are left will be covered within a week, he assured.

“I have gone a step further and said not only women’s complaint but if any complaint pertaining to crime requires prompt response, it must be handled immediately without the issue of jurisdiction, which can be decided later,” he said.

Kumar said there was 1.75 per cent increase in crimes in 2012. There were 54,287 cases in 2012 as compared to 53,353 in 2011. Besides 706 cases of rape, there were 543 cases of murder (521 in 2011) 14,391 vehicle theft cases (14,668 in 2011) and 1,440 snatching cases (1476 in 2011) in 2012.

On the issue of women being discouraged from registering complaints, Kumar said the instructions were “loud and clear”.

“You have to record her statement verbatim and give her a copy. If it makes out a visible case straight away, register a case and if it pertains to your jurisdiction, start the probe or if it is from other jurisdiction, you make out a zero FIR and send it to that police station,” he added.

'I never thought I should resign. I am not a quitter' - Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar‘I never thought I should resign. I am not a quitter’ – Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar

Daily Mail UK

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