Most rape victims underage, says government

As per statistics released by the state home department, the maximum number of rape victims were underage girls in 2012. This shocking revelation yet again brings the question of girls’ safety in the state to the forefront.

The query was raised by Anil Patil from Niphad, Dhanraj Mahale from Dindori and others in the legislative assembly on Monday.

In a written reply, home minister RR Patil said that of the 1,704 rape cases registered in the state in 2012, in 924 cases the victims were underage girls. A total of 127 girls aged below 10 were raped, while the number of rape victims aged between 10 and 14 was 188.

Patil, however, said the rise in the number of rape cases was marginal.
By the end of 2012, a total of 14,414 rape cases were pending in courts, while the number of sub judice molestation and eve-teasing cases were 31,412 and 9,480, respectively.

Between 2005 and 2011, a total of 10,837 rape cases were registered in the state. The state has 13 special courts to hear cases of atrocities against women. The state government has decided to start 100 fast track courts in the next five years and will transfer cases of atrocities against women, that are pending for over a year, to the fast track courts.

The procedure of reserving 25 of these 100 fast track courts to exclusively deal with crimes against women is underway.

@dhavalkulkarni