'Strict action against molestation brings down rape case numbers'

Nagpur: While rising crime against women is a concern for law enforcing agencies across the country, city police's proactive policies have led to welcome decline in rape cases. The city has witnessed a sharp fall in rape cases by 35% until mid-April this year, compared to the same period last year.

According to senior officials, the proactive registration of molestation cases at an earlier stage breaks the confidence of the perpetrators, who start distancing themselves from the survivor. Compared to last year, the number of molestation cases are up by 25% till April. The city police have started filing chargesheet in molestation cases within 24 hours, with the Beltarodi police setting a benchmark by completing the process within 13 hours in a case.

Last year, around 84 cases of rape were registered till mid-April. This number came down to 29 till April 16 this year. On the other hand, 134 cases of molestation were filed up to April 15 in 2024. This year in the same period the cases have increased to 167.

"Molestation is the first step of any heinous crime against women. The perpetrator begins harassing a woman by stalking, gesturing, making unwanted calls, and trying to communicate despite knowing her objections. If these are ignored, then the harassment moves to the next level and turns into crimes like kidnapping, raping, and acid attacks. Often, a case of molestation along with strong police actions puts the perpetrator on the back foot," said a senior official, adding that the rise in molestation cases should be viewed as proactive policing and not a failure of policing.

The molestation case at Beltarodi police station, in which chargesheet was filed within 13 hours, involved an accused who had past crime records. Sources stated that in such cases, the proactive registration of case and filing of chargesheet of cases pave the way for better security for women.