School van horror confirms Delhi as rape capital

NEW DELHI: The rape of a 12-year-old schoolgirl on Wednesday once again raises the question of women’s safety in the national capital as more than one such incident is being reported in the city everyday for the last three years.

Statistics provided by police reveal there have been 1,789 rapes in the capital since 2005. The year 2005 reported the most rapes at 646, followed by 599 and 544 in 2006 and 2007.

Investigators said in most cases, family members and friends were involved and therefore, it was difficult to improve women’s security. In the present case, too, the three accused were known to the girl and had been trying to win her confidence for a few days before the rape.

The incident took place in Tilak Nagar, west Delhi. Investigations revealed a school pick-up van was used for the rape. Accused Rajiv, Manmohan and Rakesh have been arrested.

“We came to know of the rape only when the girl’s parents filed a case after she did not return home for long. We have arrested the three accused and seized the car,” said deputy commissioner of police Sharad Aggarwal.
v_gyan@dnaindia.net