Posted On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11:51:46 PM
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| Neelam Gorhe lashes out against the Pune police at a press conference yesterday while holding a copy of the Pune Mirror’s report on the shocking statistics |
A day after Pune Mirror carried news on Pune police’s internal report on rapes that said 74 per cent of rapes reported to them were intercourse with mutual consent, angry womens’ organisations launched a frontal attack on the police accusing them of ‘distorting facts’ and ‘concocting the report to shrug off their responsibility’.
However, Save India Family NGO, which works for men harassed by women, has supported the police and its report. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, too, appreciated the police for being transparent.
Founder of Stree Adhar Kendra and Shiv Sena MLC Dr Neelam Gorhe describes the police report as ‘a baseless document’. She says, “I think the police’s conclusions are baseless.
The report uses statistics in a wrong manner and distorts reality. It is a poor attempt to protect the police which has been under fire for the city’s soaring crime graph and increasing gang rapes.
The report should be scrutinised by a third party. There are many loopholes in the report. It is just an attempt to cover up the issue.
That 74 per cent of rapes are mutually consensual sex is an incorrect conclusion because the police has not considered the possibility of the victim giving consent due to suppression or other compulsions.
Moreover, the police report says 70 per cent of victims are underage but does not clarify on whether the percentage is the total number of rape cases or cases which the police term as intercourse with mutual consent.
What about statistics available on the State CID website which shows only in 10 per cent of rape cases is the rapist convicted and in the remaining cases culprits go scot-free?”
Lawyer, Zashi Rani Mahila Pratishthan founder and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Rupali Patil-Thombare feel the report shows the defeated mentality of the police.
She says, “Through the report, the police is trying to convey that both the victims and the police as protectors of the fairer sex are helpless.
What kind of attitude is this? They say only two per cent of the cases are reported immediately but which raped woman would be in a psychological and mental state to lodge a complaint? I feel the police has come up with the report just to shirk responsibility.”
Shivshahi Seva Sanghatna Founder Rahul Borade feels the report is due to pressure on the police and government. He says, “I think the police has woken up from its slumber due to pressure by various social organisations and political parties.
In a knee-jerk reaction, the police seems to have used the data to create a picture that the situation is well under control.
But if the police feel 74 per cent of rapes are intercourse with mutual consent, why do they raid hotels and pick up couples. The police is just feeling helpless and are now indulging in a cover-up operation.”
Denying the charges levelled by womens’ organisations, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) A D Shinde says, “We are just scrutinising the facts of the cases reported to us and not generalising it.
Our ultimate aim is to curb rape cases in the most effective manner and we need co-operation from NGOs and womens’ organisations. This is in no way a cover-up operation. We are just understanding the situation in better way so that a strategy and action plan can be worked out.”
Former IPS officer Dr Kiran Bedi, hails the police for being transparent. She says, “We should be thankful that the police is at least trying to strategise after studying the situation.
Their data is based only on legal facts. Law students, psychologists, sociologists and non government organisations should now come forward to analyse the data and work out strategy.
This report draws only broad conclusions. Aspects like delay in filing an FIR should be studied in detail. In India, we do little research on such topics but this would encourage the police and benefit public.”
Centre For Human Right Advocacy president, advocate Rajendra Anbhule says, “The police is not trying to cover up the issue.
The report has been prepared for internal consumption and for the knowledge of police officials on the prevailing situation. From a legal view, the delay in registering the FIR is important.
In rape cases with consensual sex, the victims report to the police after a long time which weakens the case for want of evidence. It would be better to try and overcome the situation instead of arguing about the credibility of the report.”
Anath Hindu Mahila Ashram Superintendent Sharayu Muchalambkar says, “The police is doing a good job. On Tuesday, they organised a programme discussed the issue with us.
Officials have studied the issue and worked out an action plan. They plan to display posters at public places displaying safety tips for women. They are heading in the right direction.”
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| Mahesh Kalge |
Some women misuse law to extort moneySave India Family Foundation (SIFF) and All India Men Welfare Association spokesperson Mahesh Kalge says, “There is manifestation of misunderstanding about the definition between rape and cheating in a relationship. In India, it is common for girls to allege rape after having consensual sex.
In many cases, the girls withdraw their allegations after a monetary settlement or marriage with the man against whom they complained.
Indian laws define cheating in a relationship as rape and men who indulge in consensual sex are branded rapists the moment the women claim it was against her wish. Pseudo women empowerment groups use this legal provision as a tool to extort money.
Sadly, the law gives complete amnesty to women and never punishes a woman for filing a false complainant. Neither the law nor the society is considerate about the reputation of a man who falls victim to such a woman.”
 Through the report, the police is trying to convey the message that both the victims and the police as protectors of fairer sex are helpless. What kind of attitude is this? They say only two per cent of the cases are reported immediately but which raped woman would be in a psychological and mental condition to lodge a complaint after rape? I feel the police has come up with the report just to shrug off their responsibility.”— Rupali Patil-Thombare,
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader |
I think the police’s conclusions are baseless. The report uses the statistics in a wrong manner and distorts reality. It is a poor attempt to protect the police which has been under fire for the soaring crime graph and increasing gang rapes in the city. The report should be scrutinised by a third party. There are many loopholes in the report.”
—Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena MLC and |
We should be thankful that the police is at least trying to strategise after studying the situation. Their data is based only on legal facts. This report can be looked at only as preliminary information. More in depth study is needed to find solutions. Law students, psychologists, sociologists and non government organisations should now come forward to analyse the data and work out strategy.”
— Kiran Bedi, former IPS officer |
The police is not trying to cover up the issue. The report has been prepared just for internal consumption and to enhance the knowledge of police officials about the prevailing situation. From a legal point of view, the delay in registering the first information report is an important aspect. In rape cases made out of consensual sex, the victims report the matter to the police after a long time which weakens the case for want of evidence.”
— Adv Rajendra Anbhule, president, Centre for Human Right Advocacy |
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