Delhi sees four rapes every day

Four cases of rape are reported in the national capital every day, according to figures released by Delhi Police Friday.

Over the past four years, there has been a persistent increase in crimes against women. In 2013, 1,559 cases of rape were reported in Delhi, which was 129.26 percent higher than 680 rape cases in 2012, Delhi Police said at their annual press conference.

Around 96 percent of rapes reported in 2013 were committed by an accused known to the victim, except 58 rapes committed by strangers. A total of 1,398 rape cases have been solved.

Rape cases have been increasing over the years, with 572 cases in 2011, 585 in 2010 and 459 in 2009.

Cases of molestation of women have also shot up by a whopping  412.56 percent. The number of cases rose from 653 in 2012 to 3,347 in 2013.

Addressing the press conference, Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi told media persons that crime against women was a cause for concern for Delhi Police and the force was trying its best to curb such crimes.

"In offences against women, 77 percent of the cases are solved within the first week and nine percent in the second week," Bassi said.

"We have issued an order today (Friday) that says particularly in rape cases, charge sheet would be filed within 20 days. If not, it will be brought to the notice of the joint police commissioner with reasons of the charge sheet not being filed (within 20 days)," he said.

"If the charge sheet is not filed even after 30 days, it will be brought to the notice of the special commissioner (Law and Order) and special commissioner (Crime) explaining the delay," Bassi said.

"These officers will then bring it to the commissioner's notice in a consolidated way," said the city police chief.

The step has been taken to ensure speedy justice to rape victims, as in the past activists have accused police of delaying investigations in such cases, he said.

As per law, investigators get 90 days to file a charge sheet in a rape case.

Several measures have been taken to ensure safety of women, including deployment of police control room (PCR) vans outside girls' colleges, the commissioner said.

The women's helpline number 1091 has been widely publicised and number of lines increased from four to 10.

Similarly, there are now 100 lines dedicated to the police helpline number 100, as against the earlier 60.

Also, 370 additional PCR vans were inducted this year, bringing the total to 807.