City sees 100% rise in crimes against women in 1 yr

Crime against women has risen dramatically in the city, and there has been a more than 100% rise in the number of offences reported in the first four months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Saurabh M Joshi reports.

Crime against women has risen dramatically in the city, and there has been a more than 100% rise in the number of offences reported in the first four months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

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Going by data with the Mumbai police, between January and April 28, 1,089 cases were registered as opposed to 500 last year.

The number of sexual crimes registered shows a sharp rise at 151%, with 123 cases registered this year compared to 49 cases in the same period in 2012. Molestation cases have shot up by 181%.

While the police attribute this alarming rise to increased awareness – more crimes are being reported now – legal experts said it cannot be dismissed so easily. Lawyer Majid Memon said: “The incidents of rapes and molestations have shot up at a dangerous rate. Several measures have been suggested, including amendment to laws, but efforts to address such crimes seem to be falling short.”