Delhi witnessed over 700 rape cases in 2012, highest in last 10 years

(File Photograph: A picture taken during protests against 'Amanat' case in Delhi)

Delhi witnessed a 23.43 per cent increase in rape cases in the last one year, revealed figures released by the Delhi Police on Friday. While 572 rapes were reported in the national capital in 2011, the number rose to 706 in 2012.

According to National Crime Records Bureau data, the number of rape cases reported in 2012 is the highest in the last 10 years; they are also more than double of what were reported in 2002.

Cases of molestation have also gone up by 10.65 per cent - from 657 in 2011 to 727 last year.

Statistics released by the Delhi Police at its Annual Press Conference also show that the outrage over the December 16 gang-rape of medical student 'Amanat' (NOT her real name) appears to have had no effect on offenders. The city witnessed 45 rapes and 75 cases of molestation in the last 15 days of 2012 - the fortnight after 'Amanat' was raped.

It was during this period that the city saw massive protests over the incident - Delhiites took to the streets demanding justice for the 23-year-old who died in a hospital in Singapore 13 days after battling for her life. She was brutally assaulted with an iron rod by six men who later gang-raped her on a moving bus.

Delhi Police statistics also showed that 96 per cent of rape-accused are known to victims while only 3.68 per cent of them are complete strangers.

Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said in order to check the rising incidents of crime against women, the Delhi Police has taken many steps. "The rate of conviction of rapes in Delhi is much higher than national rate. We are not taking solace in this. We need to do much more," he said.

"There has been a steady increase in visibility of women police in selected police stations, PCR vans and motorcycle patrols. To counter problems of sexual harassment, women police are deployed in civil clothes at appropriate places. The police stations at North and South Campus have majority of women police officers," he added.

Number of rape cases reported in Delhi from 2002 to 2012 (as per National Crime Records Bureau data)

2002: 320

2003: 406

2004: 457

2005: 562

2006: 533

2007: 524

2008: 396

2009: 404

2010: 489

2011: 572

2012: 706

(With Inputs from agencies)

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