Mumbai | 289% rise in rape cases, 287% in molestation in five years: NGO

The metropolis has recorded a whopping 289% rise in rape cases in the last five years, according to data compiled by NGO Praja Foundation. As per figures obtained under Right to Information, 728 rape cases were registered in the financial capital in 2015-16, up from 187 in 2011-12, registering in increase of 289%, Praja said in its annual report on policing and law & order in Mumbai which was released on Monday.

Similarly, 2,145 molestation cases were reported in the city in fiscal 2015-16, a manifold spike from 554 in 2011-12. Of the 712 rape cases reported across the megapolis in 2015, 448 were against children below the age of 18.

Netai Mehta, Founder and Managing Director of Praja, said, "Within a span of five years, rape cases saw an increase of 289% and molestation 287%. The Government and Police Department should take cognisance of this data and take steps to ensure safety of women and children." The report said on an average it takes 9.2 months for a chargesheet to be submitted after an FIR is filed in a rape case and 21.3 months for a court verdict.

The Praja annual survey of over 25,000 households found that people's concern for safety of women and children has been increasing over the years. The number of murder cases has come down by 7% in 2015-16 to 183 as compared to 2014-15 when the figure stood at 170. But riot cases saw an increase of 28% - from 353 in 2014-15 to 452 in 2015-16, the NGO said.