At 5,599, MP tops in rape cases

Bhopal: Even as Madhya Pradesh continued to hold on to the dubious distinction of being at the top of the states' list with the highest number of rape cases, it also saw about one-third of the total minor rapes reported from across the country, according to News 18 report

According to the recently released report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2017, the state saw the maximum number of rape cases (5,599), which was 14.6% higher than the figures from 2016 (4,882 cases).

In 2015 as well, the state had finished on top, with 4,391 incidents of rape.

It has emerged that Madhya Pradesh is the most unsafe state for minor girls as well as elderly women since in the most cases of sexual assaults, the victims were mostly in the age group of 6-18 years and 45-60 years and above.

As far as the rape of children below six years is concerned, Madhya Pradesh is only behind Uttar Pradesh, while it is on the top of the list in rape cases of girls aged between 6-12 years (207), 12-16 years (1,275) and 16-18 years (1,550).

This totaled to about 30% of the total number of minor rapes reported from across the nation, 24% higher than the numbers of 2016.

The state ranked third in terms of sexual assaults against women in the age groups of 18-30 years and 30-45 years. With 2,517 such cases, elderly women are also not safe in the central state.

While calling for a rehaul of cultural and social systems, a senior police officer posted in Bhopal's Crime Against Women Cell told News18 that arrests and prosecutions could take place only in cases that have been reported.

"Over the last year, we have ensured that of the 2,000-plus rape cases registered, 31 accused were awarded death penalty, while about 200 are serving life imprisonments," he said.