117 rape cases registered in first six months of year

Updated statistics provided by the state home department on Tuesday reveal that 117 rape cases were registered in 180 days in Mumbai, from January to June 2011.

Updated statistics provided by the state home department on Tuesday reveal that 117 rape cases were registered in 180 days in Mumbai, from January to June 2011.

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In its Tuesday edition, the Hindustan Times had reported that 89 cases of rape and molestation were registered in Mumbai in 180 days between November 2010 and April 2011 b - a 15 % increase from the previous six-month period of May to October 2010.

Following this report, the home department shared the updated figures with the Hindustan Times.

In Mumbai, shows the six-month data, the highest number of rape cases in a month was 24 in March this year, the lowest was 8 in February. These figures are higher than those recorded in Thane and Navi Mumbai. Thane recorded its highest of 7 cases in February, while Navi Mumbai's highest was 6 rape cases in March.

Former police chief Julio Ribeiro said the statistics were "mind-boggling".

"The only way to improve the situation is to ensure severe punishment and improve the moral fabric of the society," he said.

Nandita Shah, who heads the Mumbai-based NGO Akshara that works for women's safety, said that apart from harsher punishment, improving the basic facilities in the city - such as better lighting on roads and car parks, security in public toilets and lonely lanes - will help.