Odisha second after Uttar Pradesh in molestation cases: NCRB
BHUBANESWAR: As the gangrape tragedy at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh triggered nationwide furore, Odisha too has reasons to worry with regard to women safety. Latest report of the national crime records bureau (NCRB) has placed Odisha at second place after Uttar Pradesh to have witnessed most number of cases relating to molestation of women, which comes under section 354 of the IPC (assault with intent to outrage the modesty), in 2019.
The NCRB report said crimes against women in the state have increased. While 20,274 such cases were registered in 2018, the figure shot to 23,183 cases in 2019. Odisha stood eighth with 1383 rape cases (victims above 18 years) and seventh with 1505 child rape cases in 2019 in the country.
The NCRB report said a total of 11,318 women were molested (section 354 of IPC) in the state in 2019. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with molestation of 12,157 women same year. Maharashtra is third with 10,512 such victims, the report said.
According to NCRB, the 11,318 molested women in Odisha included 2818 victims, who were assaulted with the intent to disrobe (section 354B of IPC). This category of offence was reported highest in Odisha, the data said. Uttar Pradesh is second with 2149 such victims.
Asked about the reason of such alarming number of cases in the state, police said almost all forms of crime against women started with the ‘intent to disrobe’ offence. “We normally find the disrobing (tearing of clothes) allegation mentioned in complaints relating to every assault or crime against women. If a woman’s main allegation against someone is rape, molestation or assault, she would often write in FIR a number of other charges, including disrobing or tearing of her clothes. Apart from slapping other sections, we also use 354-B of IPC against the accused,” a police officer said. Police said in other states, women victims might not be mentioning the disrobing allegation in the FIR if their prime allegation is something else.
Police said registration of 354-B is a technical issue. A few years ago, the disrobing portion was covered under the 354 (outraging the modesty) of IPC. Subsequently, new and crime-specific laws were introduced, police said.