’Women safer in Delhi than in Washington DC’

Police Commissioner provides data to MiD DAY that shows incidents of rape per lakh population are much more in many international cities compared to the national capital

'Women safer in Delhi than in Washington DC'

Police Commissioner provides data to MiD DAY that shows incidents of rape per lakh population are much more in many international cities compared to the national capital

Incidents of crime against women in the Capital have become so commonplace that they have stopped making news. But Police Commissioner BK Gupta chooses to look on the brighter side. During an exclusive interaction with MiD DAY, the top cop revealed that statistically Delhi is much less prone to crime against women than many international cities.

Man of numbers: Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta at his office in
New Delhi. u00a0Pic/Imtiyaz Khan

"When we compare Delhi with some other major cities of the world, we find that Delhi is a much safer city. Incidents of rape per lakh population are much more in other cities as compared to Delhi," he said.

When asked about recent incidents of crime against women in the Capital, Gupta said, "We have been able to solve all the sensational cases which have happened in the city within a reasonable time limit. Also we have been taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of women in Delhi."

According to Delhi police records 68 rape cases have been reported this year as compared to 90 cases in the corresponding period of 2010. Thus there is a 24.44 per cent fall in cases of rape this year so far. Similarly, 103 cases of molestation have been reported against 131 cases in the corresponding period last year. Out of these 83% cases have already been solved.

The commissioner cites reasons like unplanned colonies leading to incidents of crime in the Capital. "In Delhi, almost 65 per cent of the population lives in unplanned colonies. 11.7 per cent of the population lives in rural/urban villages, thus leaving only 23.7 per cent people living in planned colonies. Other factors responsible for crime are: socio-economic imbalances, proximate location of colonies of the affluent, urban anonymity encouraging deviant behaviour, loosening of social structures and family control, adverse sex ratio (821 females/1000 males)," Delhi police records say.

Another factor which plays a role is the hideouts used by criminals in bordering cities. "Often criminals commit crime in Delhi and escape to bordering states. We try to maintain a good coordination amongst state police," Gupta added.

The top cop also stressed on the point that most of the important cases - Radhika Tanwar murder, Dhaula Kuan rape and Krishna Nagar murder - that took place recently have been promptly solved by Delhi police. "We have worked out theses cases professionally despite the fact that they appeared to be blind cases," the Commissioner said.u00a0

On revival of the Special Cell wing of Delhi police, Gupta said, "It is slowly coming back on track. They have been detecting important cases and have cracked a few good ones. It will take time but things are working out."

Vital stats
Over 4,100 people were arrested in the capital in the first two months of this year for their involvement in several cases even as the city reported a decline in heinous crimes. According to Delhi Police statistics, a total of 4,188 persons were arrested till February 28 in heinous and non-heinous crimes. During this period, 25 persons were convicted while 11 acquitted during trial. "A total of 894 are facing trial while investigations are pending against 3,258 accused," a senior police official said. According to statistics, a total of 330 heinous crimes were reported till March 9 - a 16.24% decrease from the 394 reported during the same period last year.
The figures showed that murder cases has decreased to 87 from 96 last year though attempt to murder cases showed an increase of two to 56. Incidents of robbery also showed a declining trend as it registered 113 this year as against 142 the previous year same period. Dacoity was down to seven from previous year's eight while kidnapping for ransom cases were two this year as against five last year. Snatching cases also came down to 197 from 240.

Delhi dse
Comparison with some major cities of the world (incidents of rape per lakh of population)
Cape Townu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 73
Cairnsu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a087
Brisbaneu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 33
Austinu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 45.8
Washington DCu00a0u00a0 32.6
New Yorku00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 10.6
Delhiu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 3.6