BHOPAL: There has been an alarming spike in crime cases against women reported in Bhopal, especially the domestic violence cases peaked as soon as the 'Unlock' started in June after two months of corona curfew this year. The trend continued in July and August too.
A comparative study of crime against women this year with last year till August 31 shows that domestic violence cases increased by 149 percent this year while molestation cases increased by 67 percent and rape cases increased by 70 percent. Abduction cases increased by 26 percent this year compared to cases reported till August 31 in 2020.
Crime cases against women had declined sharply during the 71 days of lockdown last year from March 22 till May 31.
As per police data, 419 cases of cruelty against women (Section 498A) were reported this year till August 31. Last year during the same period, merely 168 cases of cruelty against women were reported.
This year 1086 cases of assault and threatening women were reported till August 31 while last year 670 such cases were reported during the same period. In all, 16 dowry death cases were reported to police this year till August while only six dowry death cases were reported last year till August 31.
Twelve women were murdered this year till August while 20 cases of attempt to murder women were reported this year.
In all, 229 rape cases were reported this year till August 31 compared to 135 rape cases reported last year in the same period.
Last year, 192 abduction cases were reported till August 31 while this year the figures are quite high with 243 abduction cases reported in the same period.
DIG Irshad Wali, however, said that it would be wrong to compare the figures of crime against women cases reported this year with last year because there was a complete lockdown last year due to which the figures declined.
If the figures are compared with 2019, there has been no rise in the crime cases against women. Domestic violence may have recorded an increase, but overall, the figure is less than previous years.
