Bengaluru: The data relating to crimes against women and children in the state over the last two years has brought to light some shocking figures.
For starters, the number of cases of sexual assault on children rose from 270 in 2013 to a whopping 844 in 2014.
More shockingly, only two such cases saw conviction in 2014, while in 2013, accused in 26 cases have been convicted.
Home minister K J George revealed this data while replying to questions raised by MLC Ivan D’Souza during the Legislative Council session on Friday February 13.
The police have filed final reports in all the 270 cases in 2013, while in 2014, final reports were submitted in 642 of the 844 cases.
Also, there were 1,087 cases of harassment against children in 2013, out of which only 12 saw convictions, and 1,858 such cases in 2014 out of which accused in 26 cases were found guilty. Final police reports were submitted in 991 out of the 1,087 cases in 2013 and 1,408 cases out of 1,858 in 2014.
With regard to crimes against women, the year 2013 saw 9,302 cases of harassment and 1,030 cases of rapes. In 2014, this figure stood at 10,537 cases of harassment and 1,315 rapes. The police filed final reports in all the cases in 2013, while in 2014, final reports were filed in 492 rape cases and 7,653 cases of harassment.
The conviction rate remained low in both years, with accused in only 110 harassment cases and 15 rape cases being held guilty in 2013. During 2014, 113 cases of harassment and 4 rape cases saw conviction.
To a question on steps taken to curb sexual crimes against women and children, K J George replied that 10 fast track courts were established in August 2013 and 30 special courts to deal with crimes against children were set up in April 2014 as per POCSO Act.
(Agencies)
