--Leena Mehendale1
Abstract: The
National Crime statistics as published by NCRB can be taken as a starting point
for spatial analysis of crime situation in India and possible suggestions for a
proper strategy to reduce the crimes. This can be further linked to the study
of Justice Delivery system, sex ratio imbalance, literacy, work force
participation etc. based on which a geographical thrust area can be delineated.
An agenda can be set for both the govt. and activists. Such a study was not
attempted so far.
An analysis of
crime records for the years 1995-96-97 for 21 types of crimes under IPC and
crimes 6 types against women as done
hereunder showed that:
1) Madhya
Pradesh and Maharashtra registered largest number of crimes. However, rate of
crime was highest in Delhi, being at least 150% higher than in any other state.
2) Rate
of total crimes against women was highest in Rajashtan, MP, Delhi and
Maharashtra.
3) States
with low crime rates are Lakshadweep, Punjab, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and West
Bengal.
4) 4
states with maximum crime rate are also the states with highest rape rate. They
are Delhi, Rajasthan, MP, Mizoram. A scatter diagram of total crimes Vs rapes
shows a general corelation between the two. Hence increase in total crime rate
should ring alarm.
5) Punjab having low rates fot all other crimes
against women has the 5th
highest dowry death rate.
6) West Bengal having low crime rates has
surprisingly the highest ratio of crimes against women to total crimes.
7) The
lower number of crimes in some states could be on account of improper or non- recording.
8) States
having high rates for dowry death are seen to be having low female to male
ratio, particularly for 0- 6 age group as registered in the census of 2001.
9) The
NCRB must start making a separate record of organised or mass atrocities
against women. This is not done as yet.
10) In most of the states the justice delivery is
unfavourable to women victims. Conviction rates for rapes are much below those
for overall crimes. A state and district level study of pending cases, trials
and conviction rates is strongly indicated.
1 The
author is Joint Sec to GoI working with National Commission for Women. This
article is a part of her private study.
email: [email protected].