West UP records maximum gang rapes

This is the first time that the SCRB report has included gang rape as a separate crime. A total of 458 gang rapes were reported in UP in 2015, which were in addition to the rape cases. About 3,025 cases of rape were reported in the same period.

The gang rape of a woman and her minor daughter from Noida on national highway 91 in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr is not an isolated case.

Following the Bulandshahr twin gang rapes, several others who claimed to be victims reached the police station to seek justice . They said proper investigations were not carried in their cases. (Sakib Ali / Hindustan Times File)

Data released by the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB) showed that in 2015, several gang rapes were reported from western UP.

According to the data released in July, Bulandshahr reported 31 gang rapes, second only to Moradabad where 34 incidents were reported.

The highest number of cases, 97, was recorded in Moradabad range that comprises Rampur, Bijnore, Amroha, Sambhal and Moradabad.

This was followed by Meerut range – comprising Bulandshahr, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Baghpat and Hapur – with 87 cases. Saharanpur range recorded 35 incidents followed by Bareilly with 40 cases.

This is the first time that the SCRB report has included gang rape as a separate crime. A total of 458 gang rapes were reported in UP in 2015, which were in addition to the rape cases. About 3,025 cases of rape were reported in the same period.

“West UP has always registered a high rate of criminal activities. The condition of women is pathetic in the area, be it the trend of shared wives, rapes or female foeticide,” said Madhu Garg, state president of All-India Democratic Women’s Association.

Uttar Pradesh as a whole contributes for high number of gang rapes, revealed the 2014 report of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). Over 25% gang rapes in 2014 were reported from UP. A total of 574 cases of gang rape were reported in 2014.

“Cases of gang rape took place in the state earlier too but now victims are not shying away from reporting the crime. Such incidents have happened in villages and cities in the past,” said Madhavi Kuckreja, a social activist working in remote areas of UP.

Many believe reporting of rape cases rose after the December 16, 2012, Delhi gang rape.