Rape figures fall in '06; crime against women 8% of total IPC cases

New Delhi, Jan 5 (UNI) While Delhi registered a decline of more than nine per cent in number of rape cases in 2006 and another four per cent in molestation cases, 'crime against women' showed a whopping figure of eight per cent of total IPC crimes committed in the national capital.

However, consolation comes from 27 police stations in the city where no rape took places in the year gone by.

Out of the 599 rape case registered in 2006, as against 660 in 2005, more than 98 per cent of the perpetrators of the crime were known to the victim, said Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul at the annual press conference this afternoon.

''While no rape cases were reported from 27 police stations of the city, 23 per cent of total rapes committed were reported from six areas -- Sultanpuri, Gokulpuri, Mangolpuri, Nangloi, Samaypur Badli and Nand Nagri -- of which Sultanpuri alone accounted for eight per cent of cases.'' Among the victims, 82 per cent were unmarried, 14 per cent were less that 12 years of age and 59 per cent between 12-18 years. On the other hand, of the accused 89 per cent were either illiterates or matric level dropouts, he informed.

''Among the accused, neighbours formed the bulk at over 54 per cent, while friend/lover constituted nearly eleven per cent, family friend/relative -- over seven per cent-and an equal percentage 'other known persons of those involved.'' Also, rape committed by close relatives like father, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law was nine per cent, even as those done by employer/co-worker or landlord/tenant was less that six per cent, Mr Paul said.

''Rape constitutes a mere 1.09 per cent of crimes committed against women. The bulk part was 'cruelty by husband/in-laws' (2.98 per cent), while 'kidnapping/abduction' (1.84 per cent), 'molestation' (1.28 per cent), eve-teasing(0.23 per cent) and 'dowry death' (0.24 per cent)'' he said.

Though molestation cases formed a little more than one per cent of crime against women, 707 such cases were registered in 2006 of which 94 per cent were worked out and 865 persons arrested, he added.

UNI