Woman complainants are handled with respect by cops, says Bassi

On the second anniversary of the December 16 gang-rape, Delhi Police on Tuesday said woman complainants are handled with respect and sympathy, and complaints are being recorded verbatim.

“A woman police officer records the statement and investigates the case without any uncalled-for remarks or observations,” Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said.

The number of rape cases would cross 2,000 this year, but Bassi attributed it to women feeling more confident about reporting such incidents. He said expeditious completion of investigation of rape cases is of paramount importance.

The number of FIRs registered for rape has increased from 680 in 2012 to 1,559 cases in 2013 and 1,925 cases till November this year. The number of molestation cases has also gone up from 615 in 2012 to 3,347 last year and 3,932 cases till November.

“Investigation in every rape case is closely monitored by the concerned Additional Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police and the endeavour is to file a chargesheet within 20 days of arresting the accused,” Bassi said, adding on the request of Delhi Police, Delhi High Court has issued directions to district courts that all gang-rape cases be fast-tracked.

Police operate 24x7 woman help desks in all police stations and no jurisdictional dispute is allowed to delay police response on a complaint. 

“Immediate action is taken by the officer on receipt of complaint to apprehend the accused and provide medical and other assistance without going into jurisdictional issues,” Bassi added.

In view of recurring complaints about eve-teasing, local police and PCR vans are deployed outside girls’ schools and colleges at opening and closing time. Additional and integrated police pickets have also been increased.