Delhi, India’s rape capital, ranks 2nd in stalking cases

Of the 6,238 complaints under stalking — Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code — 1,124 were from the Union Territory of Delhi.

After making headlines as India’s rape capital, Delhi ranks second among Indian states in terms of number of stalking cases registered, according to National Crime Records Bureau data for 2015.

The city leads in numbers even against other states that are perceived as being unsafe for women such as Uttar Pradesh, which registered 519 stalking complaints in 2015. (Shutterstock illustration)

Of the 6,266 complaints under stalking — Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code — 1,124 were from the Union Territory of Delhi. It accounts for 18% of all stalking cases in India. The Capital also contributes to 97% of all such complaints from all Union Territories.

The city leads in numbers even against other states that are perceived as being unsafe for women such as Uttar Pradesh, which registered 519 stalking complaints in 2015.

The Capital’s number of cases is second only to Maharashtra, which registered 1,399 stalking cases.

However, the state has a higher sex ratio compared to Delhi. While Maharashtra has 929 women for every 1,000 men, Delhi has 868 women for every 1,000 women.

In August, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal wrote a letter to the Union home ministry pointing out the high rate of stalking crimes. “According to data of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) for 2015, Delhi is not just rape capital but also stalking capital.

“The difference is also in the population. If one combines the population of all UTs, then Delhi will still have a higher population. Also Delhi women are more aware of their rights,” says advocate MS Khan, who regularly deals with stalking cases.

On Tuesday morning, in the Burari district of northwest Delhi, a 34-year-old man allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old woman 22 times. The young woman died on the spot. A police source said the accused claimed that he and the woman knew each other and were in a relationship previously.

“There was a complaint registered in March, but that was compromised after parents of the accused met with the parents of the victim,” police sources told HT. The woman did not register a police complaint after April, sources added.

The complaint is “the subject of investigation”, said deputy commissioner of police (north) Madhur Verma.

Delhi was the state with second highest number of stalking cases (541) in 2014 as well, according to NCRB data.