Delhi Records Dip In Cases Of Sexual Crime, Home Ministry Reports

While #MeToo movement and various other cases of crimes against women have empowered other women also to speak up against sexual harassment and report cases, a recent report found that the national capital sees a decline in reported cases of sexual harassment and molestation. The Union Home Ministry has released a report on Wednesday which claims that the criminal cases against women registered by Delhi Police have seen a dip.

“As reported by Delhi Police, a number of measures taken for facilitating reporting and registration of crime, including online registration of e-FIR for theft of motor vehicles and other properties, may have contributed to a higher number of cases registered in the NCT of Delhi,” Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, reports Deccan Herald.

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However, since 2018, the cases of heinous crimes have reduced in number according to the reports. This year up to September 2019, police have reported 3,838 cases as against 4,092 reported in 2018 recording a total decline of 6.2 per cent in the last year. “During the above referred period, under non-heinous crimes also, there is a decline in various crime heads namely, snatching, hurt, burglary, house theft, molestation of women, kidnapping, abduction and fatal and simple accidents,” Mr Reddy said.

He also spoke about the various review meetings that happen regularly at different levels to evaluate the crime pattern, progress in the investigation, law and order situation and other matters related to policing.

“Besides these regular review meetings, some special meetings are also held to discuss and evaluate any emerging crime/law and order situation. Crime-prone areas in NCT of Delhi are dynamically identified and police resources including pickets, foot patrolling, PCR vans and emergency response vehicles are deployed to enhance visibility, to prevent crime and to nab criminals,” the minister said.

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While the Delhi police have officially reported a decline in criminal cases, the capital is yet to be absolved from the tag of Rape Capital of the country. There have also been reports of Delhi Police notoriously turning away survivors of sexual violence without registering their complaints.

“As reported by Delhi Police, a number of measures taken for facilitating reporting and registration of crime, including online registration of e-FIR for theft of motor vehicles and other properties, may have contributed to a higher number of cases registered in the NCT of Delhi”

In August, a JNU student who was allegedly raped by a cab driver in Delhi at night claimed that when she went to the police station to file an FIR, the constable refused as she asked to for a woman police officer and there was no woman cop on duty at the police station. While the woman student is now pursuing a legal case against the driver and the police constable, it really raises a stark question on the dichotomy of Delhi Police's record of heinous crimes and the reality.