Police see slight decrease in registration of cases

The average number of heinous and other Indian Penal Code cases registered by Delhi Police saw a slight decrease last month.

In January, 146 women claimed to have been raped while 314 women were molested. Last year, 2,069 rapes were reported and 4,179 molestation cases were filed which comes to a monthly average of 172 rape and 348 molestation cases.

According to Delhi Police, 738 heinous cases and 13,470 non-heinous cases were registered up to January 31. On an average, 855 heinous cases and 12,115 non-heinous cases were registered on a monthly basis last year.

The decrease in the numbers are despite Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi repeatedly saying that victims of cognisable crime now rarely have to run from pillar to post to get their FIRs registered.

The figures are likely to decline further following a Delhi High Court order last month which said that time has come for courts to deal firmly with women filing false rape complaints as they are tormentors warranting punishment.

“False rape cases make the crime graph shoot up, play havoc with the crime statistics and tend to trivialise the offence of rape and no sooner that the news of a person having been accused of rape spreads in the society, he is looked down upon by all and sundry,” the court had observed on January 28.

Over 1.50 lakh cases under IPC were registered last year, which was almost double of the cases filed in 2013. It included 561 cases of murder, 745 attempt to murders, 2,069 rapes, 4,179 molestation, 6,944 snatchings, 6,180 robbery, 12,256 house theft and 22,223 vehicle theft.

A senior police officer told Deccan Herald that the figure used to be in the range of 50,000 cases from 2001 to 2012. In 2013, it had increased to 76,000 cases. The registration of cases increased following steps taken after the December 16 gang-rape.

“A decision was taken by Delhi Police in 2013 to ensure truthful registration of crimes. Police machinery was suitably sensitised and monitored to ensure truthful registration of complaints which disclosed commission of cognisable offences,” said Special Commissioner (Crime Branch) Taj Hassan.

Up to January 31, the figures in heinous crimes included 45 cases of murder, 55 of attempt to murder, nine of riot, three of kidnapping for ransom, five of dacoity and 474 of robbery.