An increase in the instance of rape cases in rural Maharashtra
5 Mar, 2013An application was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking to know the status of crime against women in Maharashtra.
The reply to the application has revealed that the rate of crime against women has been on an increase in rural Maharashtra. The reply states that the number of rape cases across Maharashtra has gone up by 14 per cent when compared with the figures of 2009. The reply shows that Nashik range has reported the maximum increase of 26 per cent in rape cases. The data provided in the reply shows that Kolhapur has registered an increase of 16 per cent while Nagpur range has a figure of 15 per cent for increase in rape cases.
The status check has come in the wake of Bhandara rape case in which three sisters were raped and subsequently murdered at Bhandara in Nagpur.
However, analysts say that the increased rate of crime against women is not a Maharashtra-specific phenomenon. It is felt across the country and that it raises question about effective policing. Does it mean that rapes are on a rise in "India" as well as "Bharat"?