One rape case every 6 hours in state: Report

PATNA: Average one rape case is reported in less than six hours every day in Bihar, according to the official data of the state crime records bureau (SCRB). Altogether 1,165 rape cases were reported in the state in the initial nine months this year with the maximum 146 cases recorded in June when there is vacation in schools and coaching institutes and even women prefer to remain indoors due to blistering heat.

The state had recorded 1145 rape cases during the corresponding period in 2018, which shows an increase of 20 cases this year. Patna topped the chart with maximum 85 rape cases registered with different police stations in the district between January and September this year. Katihar stood second with 79 cases followed by Purnia (74), Araria (67) and Gaya (56) during the period.

In all, 1475 women, mostly minor girls, fell victim to the rapists in the state last year. “Going by the SCRB figures, the state capital is not considered safe for women from security point of view. Even in 2018, a total of 123 cases of rape were reported in Patna, the highest in the state,” said a social activist Pramod Kumar, who earlier took up the matter with the higher-ups of the state police, but in vain.

Sheohar, on the other hand, recorded only two cases of rape in the first nine months this year. Moreover, only three cases were reported from the four rail districts. An average 25% of the rape victims were below the age of 20 years and 40-45% crimes were committed by youngsters in the age group of 18 to 30 years.

In some cases, video clips of the crime were made and subsequently uploaded to social networking sites. The audacity of the perpetrators could be gauged from the fact that in some cases they threatened the victims with dire consequences and took their close relatives to task for reporting the incidents to the police.

The state police headquarters also appears to be worried over rise in the incidents of rape and sexual harassment. ADG (headquarters) Jitendra Kumar said a mechanism is being developed at the police headquarters to monitor the prosecution (read trial) of cases of serious nature. So far the cases of rape are concerned, he said the SPs have been told to ensure speedy trial.

“There is clear instruction from the headquarters to arrest the rape accused and submit chargesheet as early as possible to ensure conviction in such cases. We are looking at the matter afresh,” Kumar told this newspaper on Friday in the backdrop of the gruesome murder of two women after setting them afire in Buxar and Samastipur districts of Bihar.

The gang rape of a minor girl in Kaimur’s Mohania last month led to violent protests by local residents, who set the houses of the accused on fire. The district authorities had to clamp prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC to bring the situation under control. All the four accused of raping the girl in a moving car were arrested and sent to jail.