'Rape cases go up by 47%, chain snatchings record 66% rise in Mumbai'

The city is becoming increasingly unsafe, especially for women, according to the findings of the survey carried out by not-for-profit Praja Foundation, released on Tuesday.

Mumbai is becoming increasingly unsafe, especially for women, according to the findings of the survey carried out by not-for-profit Praja Foundation, released on Tuesday.

According to the white paper on crimes, the cases of rape recorded from April 2013 to March 2014 are 47% higher, compared with the corresponding period in 2012-13.

While the molestation cases have gone up by 52% compared with the earlier financial year, chain snatchings have recorded a 66% rise. According to the data, 432 cases of rape, 1,209 of molestation and 2,110 cases of chain snatching were registered between April 2013 and March 2014.

Most cases of rape (105) have occurred in south-central Mumbai, which covers Chembur, Sion-Koliwada and Mahim, while north Mumbai, spanning from Borivli, Dahisar to Malad (West), has seen maximum cases of chain snatching.

“In the 2013-14 survey period, chain-snatching cases have gone up by 66% and theft has risen by 19%. Such crimes affect people’s perception of the city. It creates a feeling that the city is not the safe and secure place it once was,” said Milind Mhaske, project director, Praja.