Crime against women: Rapes, molestations on rise in Pune city

Besides, 864 cases of molestation were registered with the Pune city police in 2024. In the previous years, 775 molestation cases were reported in 2023, 474 in 2022, 379 in 2021 and 269 in 2020.

So the data indicates a continuous rise in crimes against women in Pune city. But according to the police, the increase in rape and molestation cases is “due to prompt and free registration of offences”. Also, the police said that except in one case, in all other rape cases in 2024, the accused was known to the victim.

The one case where the accused were not known to the victim is the Bopdev Ghat gangrape incident, which is listed by the Pune city police among the most sensitive crimes in 2024.

It may be recalled that a 21-year-old woman and her 22-year-old friend, both college students, not from Pune, had gone to the table point of the Bopdev Ghat on a motorcycle on October 3, 2024.

At around 11 pm, three men came to the spot on their bikes and allegedly threatened them with sharp weapons and robbed their valuables. The accused allegedly tied the woman’s friend with his shirt and belt, then dragged her to an isolated area and gangraped her. Police have arrested two persons in this case, the third accused is still at large. Police said a chargesheet in the case was filed on December 2, 2024 and attempts are on to arrest the wanted accused.

During the annual press conference on Thursday, Amitesh Kumar, Commissioner of Pune city police, said that the process to appoint a special public prosecutor in the Bopdev Ghat gangrape case is in final stage.

Regarding crimes against women in 2024, Kumar said that whenever the victims came forward, their complaints were registered immediately and action was taken.

Kumar also spoke about the measures taken by the police for women safety. He said the “1091” toll free helpline number for women is active and, after receiving a call, the beat marshals of the police stations and Damini Squad are immediately sent to the spots for helping the victims. Also, any complaint regarding women safety and security can be posted on WhatsApp number 8975953100, he said.

As of now, there are 82 women police personnel in 41 Damini Squads that conduct patrolling at railway stations, bus stops, educational organisations, cinema halls, gardens and other public places to prevent crime against women.

As per police data, Damini Squads took action in about 250 offences and conducted about 3015 workshops on women safety in 2024. Also, the “Mahila Sahayya Kaksha (Women Help Centre)” of Pune city police received 4,368 complaints in 2024 as against 4,312 in 2023. Police said all the complaints were addressed and appropriate action was taken for helping the women.