Overall cases of crime against women decrease 5% in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Crime against women in the city reduced by 5% overall in the first four months of 2023 as compared to the same period last year, with street crime such as molestation decreasing by 15%. However, rape cases shot up by 7% while kidnapping cases increased by 14%. Police said many kidnapping cases pertain to teens eloping. When a missing person is a minor, it is mandatory under the law for an FIR to be registered.
Totally, 1,977 cases of crime against women were registered in January-April 2023, down from 2,078 offences in January-April 2022. Except for rape and kidnapping cases, all other crimes against women have reduced. Overall detection rate has improved, from 65% to 74%.

"What has worked is extensive drives against repeat offenders, targetted patrolling in areas where women commute and study, besides crackdowns on drug addicts," said joint commissioner, law and order, Satyanarayan Chaudhary. Other street crimes such as gestures/acts to insult a woman's modesty are down by 12%. The police believe that swift and stringent legal action is a deterrent. In December 2022, a Korean YouTuber was sexually harassed by two men on a Khar street while she was shooting a video. The duo was nabbed within a day.
Speedy trials and convictions of perpetrators may have also contributed to an overall reduction in numbers. In March 2023, a Peruvian was molested by the manager of a guesthouse at Byculla on the pretext of getting a selfie clicked with her. The police filed a chargesheet within 24 hours and the trial was completed within two months. "We have started following an SOP where we file chargesheets early in instances of serious crimes against women and push for speedy trials," explained Chaudhary.
Instances of cruelty by spouses for dowry have reduced by 26%. Counselling centres set up in various police zones have played a key role as qualified psychologists take up cases of domestic violence and marital disputes. "Detection rates have improved for all crime categories. We will step up efforts to ensure that rape and kidnapping cases also reduce by the year-end," an officer said.