Cops resolve harassment cases without lodging complaints

The police's women helpline got 679 complained related to various forms of sexual harassment in one month. But, the cops registered only seven cases, saying the rest complaints were resolved within 24 hours.

The police's women helpline got 679 complained related to various forms of sexual harassment in one month. But, the cops registered only seven cases, saying the rest complaints were resolved within 24 hours.

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According to the data of distress calls made to the helpline - 1091-- last month, only one caller complained of rape.

The maximum number of complaints (470) was registered under the category of 'eve-teasing'. A total of 49 women called up complaining about domestic violence, while 18 callers alleged molestation and stalking, the data shows.

However, formal complaints were registered only in seven cases and that too under 'others' or 'miscellaneous' category.

Gurgaon police commissioner Alok Mittal claimed that cases were not registered because most of the complaints were addressed within 24 hours.

"Most of the complaints pertain to harassment calls and SMSes. The complainant is not required to make any formal complaint. This is to address women's concerns regarding stigma attached to visiting a police station or the police visiting their offices or houses. In such cases, a police officer targets the offender directly. When the victims were contacted after 24 hours, most of them have expressed satisfaction with the police action," Mittal said.