Delhi crime graph up, crime against women up 412 percent (Roundup)

There has been a 43.6 percent increase in Delhi's crime graph in 2013 over 2012, and crime against women rose a whopping 412 percent in the past year, Delhi Police said Friday.

A staggering 73,958 cases were registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2013, up from 51,479 in the previous year.

The police were able to solve 48.8 percent of the cases.

"Strict instructions have been given to police stations that each and every complaint be registered, and people not be turned away. This is why (the number of) cases have increased," Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi told the media at the force's annual press conference.

The police data has indicated that the national capital has not learned any lesson from the brutal Dec 16, 2012 gang-rape that shook the nation's conscience - cases of molestation of women have seen a dramatic rise from 653 in 2012 to 3,347 in 2013 - a whopping increase of over 412 percent.

Similarly, rape cases also increased from 680 last year to 1,559 this year and in 96 percent of the cases, the victim was known to the accused. Close to 90 percent of these cases were solved, said police.

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

"With a new order, the chargesheet in any rape case will be filed within 20 days of the arrest of the accused," Bassi said.

Several measures were taken to ensure the safety of women, including the deployment of Police Control Room (PCR) vans outside girls' colleges, the commissioner said.

The women helpline number 1091 was widely publicised and number of lines was increased from four to 10.

Similarly, there are now 100 lines dedicated to the police helpline number of 100, as against the earlier 60. Also, 370 additional PCR (Police Control Room) vans were inducted this year, bringing the total number of such vans to 807.

This year, Delhi Police has been specially focusing on children.

Now, FIRs are being registered immediately on receipt of complaints of missing children.

This year 5,565 kidnapping cases were registered, against 3,503 in 2012.

As part of the drive for the protection of senior citizens, 18,574 senior citizens have been enlisted in the Delhi Police's senior citizens' list. The special identity card scheme for senior citizens was started in 2012.

For the security of the capital, 5,333 CCTV cameras at various markets and border posts are to be installed. Of these 3,091 CCTVs have been installed so far, and 2,244 are yet to be installed.

Speaking on the road safety measures, Bassi said that 24,564 motorists have been prosecuted for drunken driving as compared to 23,829 in 2012. However, 3,397 people were sent to jail for violating traffic norms.

For the welfare of officers of Delhi Police, a martyrs' fund has been created to provide immediate monetary assistance of Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh to the family of police personnel who die in the line of work.

Five families have availed benefits under this facility in 2013.