New Delhi, Jan 19: The outrage over the December 16 gang-rape appears to have had no effect on offenders as three rapes and five molestations were daily reported during the fortnight after the incident in the capital. The city witnessed 45 rapes (three in a day on an average) and 75 cases of molestation (five in a day on an average) in the last 15 days of 2012.
The Delhi gang-rape had evoked violent protests in the capital. Delhiites were on streets demanding justice for the 23-year-old victim who died in Singapore on December 29.
A glance through the data of 2012 about crime against women presents a dismal picture for Delhi as the city reported a whopping 23.43 per cent rise in rape cases and 10.65 per cent increase in molestation cases.
Delhi police statistics showed that 706 rape cases were reported last year compared to 572 cases in 2011 while 727 cases of molestation have been reported as compared to 657 cases in 2011.
Police, however, say the incidence of rape per one lakh population has shown a steady decline in Delhi—coming down from 4.42 in 2005 to 4.15 in 2012. In all the rape cases barring 26 of them, the accused were known to the victim -- 207 were family members and 200 friends.
Govindpuri police station area had the highest number of rape cases with 21 followed by Sangam Vihar (17) and Shakarpur (15).
“The rate of conviction of rapes in Delhi is much higher than national rate. We are not taking solace in this. We need to do much more,” Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said.
Last year, 727 cases of molestation have been reported in Delhi as compared to 657 cases in 2011. Out of the 727 cases reported in 2012, as many as 94 per cent cases have been solved.
In order to address rising incidence of crimes against women, Kumar said, Delhi police has continued its efforts to spread awareness among various sections of society through ‘Parivartan’ scheme.
“Also, there has been a steady increase in visibility of women police in selected police stations, PCR vans and motorcycle patrols. To counter problems of sexual harassment, women police are deployed in civil clothes at appropriate places. The police stations at North and South Campus have majority of women police officers,” he said.