Sexual crime on rise in Gurugram as 4 rape cases reported in a single day

Gurugram: There were four cases of rape in a single day including a five-year-old raped by a neighbour and a woman of Kenyan origin gang-raped after being offered a lift at MG road. In the context of a foreign organisation deeming India to be the most dangerous country for women, one of the richest cities in the country is definitely not doing any good to improve this dubious image.

In just six months, the Millennium city is all set to break the crime record that was registered in the full year. According to the police records, there have been already 59 cases of rape and 107 formal complaints of molestation till June.

What is more shocking and disturbing is an exponential rise in crime against minors. In just six months, the city has witnessed more than 100 cases of sexual assault against minors.

In all, there have been 60 cases of crimes that have been registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO) in addition to 40 cases of abduction, human traffickings and forced child labour.

Gurugram along with its counterpart Faridabad is leading in terms of sexual crime against minors. In 2017, there were 106 cases of sexual crimes against minors while in 2016 there were 115. Not only sexual crimes but the law enforcement officials also have to deal with rising number of human trafficking cases.

In 2017, 154 minors were kidnapped from the city out of which 115 were girls. From 2012 to 2017, over 1,062 children have been kidnapped out of which 677 are girls. According to Gurugram police, the gangs from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are highly active in committing such crimes.

Lack of infrastructure like the development of proper helpline has also increased the troubles for the victims. While difficulties of getting through the police helpline number 100 are well documented, a major setback has been the withdrawal of WhatsApp number.

Acknowledging that safety of women in the city is a major law and order challenge, senior officials of Gurugram police said, the manpower is being increased. Most of them will be deployed in the night. Strict instructions have also been issued to pubs and bars in Gurugram to ensure that no illegal activities should be allowed.

The new police commissioner of Gurugram, KK Rao, has already stated that he will want his force to be the most visible force present on the city rods than in the police stations. There are also plans to develop six fast-track courts for the speedy trial of sexual crimes against women.