11.1.12

DNA

Rapes up in Mumbai, but there’s no word on molestation

The long arm of the law doesn’t appear to strike much fear in the hearts of criminals anymore. Numbers prove so.

As per the recent statistics of crime in the city, released by the police on Tuesday, registered rape cases rose by 27 last year as compared to the 192 in 2010.

Of the 219 rape cases registered in 2011, 139 involve minors. The accused, a majority of which were parents, relatives, friends, acquaintances neighbours, were known to 206 victims. In total, the accused were apprehended or identified in 209 cases.

What are missing from the police’s statistics, though, are the figures for molestation cases.

In 2011, 597 women were rescued from brothels in a number of raids held by the local police and the social service branch. During the rescue operations, 302 accused were arrested for trafficking of women and 131 cases lodged thereafter.

“Security is a priority but people must become responsible,” said Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police, crime.

Commissioner of police Arup Patnaik assured that there will be zero tolerance to crime against women, “The security of women in the city is our top priority.”

Although the police were quiet about the cases of molestation, Patnaik said the zonal deputy commissioners of police have been asked to take each case of molestation and eve-teasing seriously. “There are special teams that have been set up in the suburbs to deal with these problems,” he added.