Maha sees 6% increase in rapes: CID survey

A state- wide crime survey in Mharashtra conducted by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) indicated a 5.73 per cent rise in rapes across the state in 2012 over the previous year. In most incidents, the survivors knew the perpetrators.

A state- wide crime survey conducted by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) indicated a 5.73 % rise in rapes across the state in 2012 over the previous year. In most incidents, the survivors knew the perpetrators.

Of the 1,845 rape cases registered in the state in 2012, the Thane city police commissionerate accounted for a total of 107 cases. Five among these were minors, aged below 10 years.

The contentious issue of policing in Thane came to the fore after a bus cleaner allegedly raped a 4-year-old girl inside a school bus on September 6, this year.

While the police arrested the accused, Sandeep Karve, it was revealed that there was no woman attendant present on the bus. The incident raises questions about the safety of children in the city.

The jurisdiction of the Thane city police ranks 16th in the state in terms of the number of cognizable cases registered in 2012.

The Thane city area contributes to 4.63 % of the total crime against women in the state.

“The survey suggests roping in non-profit organizations (NGO) to spread awareness among women along with the activation of neighbourhood watch schemes,” said a CID officer.

Police sources also said that the most common motive used by the know criminals was inducement for marriage.