Most rapes in Mumbai on Bandraandheri stretch
REALITY Of 752 rape cases in 2017, the region accounted for 199; with 26 registered cases, Oshiwara one of the most notorious areas
MUMBAI: The Bandra-andheri belt is home to the crème de la crème of Mumbai: from Bollywood stars to the rich and famous industrialists and businessmen, all have their homes here. But there’s one thing that says this popular tinsel town hub is unsafe for women: recording one-fourth of Mumbai’s rape cases in 2017.
With 199 rape cases registered, the region accounts for more than one-fourth of the 752 rape cases registered in the city.
Arun Chavan, assistant commissioner of police for four police stations (DN Nagar, Oshiwara, Amboli and Versova), told HT, “There was just one case at Amboli where the accused was a stranger. In all other cases, the accused were known to victims. Most of the rape cases last year were registered by women who were filing cases against their live-in partners. There are one or two cases of date rape. Even in POCSO Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) cases, there were runaway cases, but under law it does not matter.”
Oshiwara turned out to be one of the most notorious areas with 26 cases and Powai followed with 18. Prime areas like Bandra, Santacruz and Versova saw 13 cases being registered.
A police officer from Oshiwara police station said, “Most of these rape cases were committed under false pretext of marriage or were registered against live-in partners. In none of these cases, the accused was a stranger. The only exception is rape cases involving minors because the consent does not matter there at all.”
Mumbai police spokesman, Deepak Devraj, said the West region covers a vast area, having three police zones within its jurisdiction.”also the figures are high because we are sincerely registering offences,” said Devraj.
Advocate Audrey D’mello, also the director of Majlis, pointed out two major reasons for rise in rape cases.
“After the 2012 Delhi gang rape, a new law for crime against women was made. Since 2011, our organisation has been closely working with the Mumbai Police to sensitise them on the law as part of our program Rahat. We brought out a standard operating procedure for filing rape cases,” the lawyer said.
She added that there has been free and fair registration of FIRS and a change in the cops’ attitude. The credit, she said, goes to senior cops who ensured registration of FIR by taking action on officers turning away or discouraging rape survivors.
According to D’mello, in more than 95% cases, the rapist is known to victim. The second reason, she said, is the heavy population in the west region.
“Even cases where men go back on the promise of marriage involve violence and trauma. In such cases, women see police and law as the only source of help and so such cases should not be taken lightly,” she added.
IN MORE THAN 95% CASES, THE RAPIST IS KNOWN TO VICTIM. THE SECOND REASON, AN ADVOCATE SAID, IS THE HEAVY POPULATION IN THE WEST REGION