Karnataka

Rape cases in State almost double in five years: Home Minister K.J. George

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Bengaluru:  Rape cases in the State, now at 1,166, have nearly doubled in the last five years, according to statistics provided by Home Minister K.J. George to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

The number of rape cases, which stood at 586 in 2010, touched 1,166 till November in 2014, the Minister told Bharatiya Janata Party member B.Y. Raghavendra during Question Hour. It was 636 in 2011, 621 in 2012, and 1,030 in 2013.

The Minister maintained that the main reason for this was not the actual increase in the number of rapes cases, but the widened definition of rape after the Indian Penal Code clause was amended following the ‘Nirbhaya’ case in Delhi two years ago.

Also, the number was high because the government had directed the police to register all rape cases without fail, he explained. “The number of rape cases has increased as people are ready to register such cases in the wake of the police responding positively to the issue,” Mr. George said.

To a query by Congress member Appaji C.S. Nadagouda, the Minister noted that the cases registered with respect to atrocity, exploitation and sexual harassment of children in the State had increased from 694 in 2013 to 764 till November in 2014.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 664 cases as well as charge-sheets were filed in 2013 while 670 such cases had been registered till November in 2014.
Creating awareness

Listing various measures taken to prevent sexual offences against women and children, he said December was being observed as Crime Prevention Month to create public awareness of the issue.

Mr. Nadagouda, however, said the police force was demoralised and demanded immediate measures to restore its morale.

Mr. Raghavendra suggested the use of mobile phone-based applications to ensure security assistance system for women and child victims of sexual assaults.

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