Rapes, dowry deaths on rise

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16

One year after the first-of-its kind initiative of setting up of women’s police stations across the male-dominated state of Haryana, women continue to be victims of crime in the khapland.

Though there has been an overall dip in the crime against women, including dowry harassment cases, certain heinous crimes such as rape, dowry death, attempt to rape and trafficking have registered an increase from September 1, 2015, to June 30 this year as compared to the corresponding period in 2014-15.

A presentation prepared by Ajay Singhal, IGP (Modernisation), as part of the first anniversary of the women’s police stations, showed an overall dip of 157 in crime against women from 6,915 cases to 6,758. A sharp decline of 115 cases had been reported in the dowry harassment cases from 2,700 to 2,585, the presentation said.

However, dowry deaths reported an increase from 199 to 203, while cases of rape increased from 842 to 844. The cases of attempt to rape increased from 70 to 87 and acid attacks went up from two to four. Cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, registered a sharp increase of 25 from 39 to 64. Cases under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act also jumped from five to 49, registering an increase of 44.

On the flip side, rape in elopement cases came down by 58 from 139 to 81. Molestation cases also came down by 37 from 1,486 to 1,449. Another heinous crime, kidnapping of women was reported less by 38 from 1,424 to 1,386.

Meanwhile, the women police stations received 25,764 complaints from September 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, of which 24,299 (94.3 per cent) were disposed of. As many as 1,465 (5.7 per cent) are pending.

The women helpline (1091) seemed to be a hit among complainants, with 45,175 complaints received from September 1, 2015, to June 30 this year.