Chennai: Amid continuing political sparring over women’s safety in Tamil Nadu, the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures for 2024 point to a spike in grave crimes such as rape, stalking of women and domestic abuse and cyber harassment.According to the NCRB’s Crime in India 2024 report released on Thursday, Tamil Nadu registered 11,363 cases of crime against women in 2024, up from 8,943 cases in 2023 and 9,207 cases in 2022. Despite the rise in cases, police maintained a charge-sheeting rate of 93% in reporting of crime against women cases.Reporting of crime against women involving sexual violence remained a major concern in the state. Tamil Nadu recorded 419 rape cases during 2024, apart from 24 cases under sexual intercourse by deceitful means and 33 cases of attempt to commit rape. The state also registered one case involving murder with rape or gang rape, along with three acid attack cases and two attempted acid attack cases.Harassment-related offences formed a substantial share of reporting of crime against women in Tamil Nadu. The state recorded 1,237 cases of assault on women with intent to outrage modesty and 50 cases involving assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe. Reporting of crime against women under sexual harassment stood at 421 cases, including 23 workplace harassment complaints. NCRB data also showed 521 stalking cases, 34 voyeurism cases, and 1,911 kidnapping and abduction cases involving women.Domestic violence-related offences accounted for the largest chunk of reporting of crime against women in the state. Tamil Nadu recorded 3,344 cases of cruelty by husband or relatives, 34 dowry deaths, and 2,042 cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act. The state also registered 10 cases under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 74 cases involving procuration of minor girls, and 198 cyber crimes targeting women.While Chennai recorded the highest reporting of crime against women with 1,093 cases, Coimbatore stood second with 377 cases.MSID:: 130910960 413 |
