Yogi Govt. Admits to Rise in Crime Against Women in the State

In what seems like a never-ending story in Uttar Pradesh, yet another incident of stalking and murder has come to notice. On Monday night, two sisters, were shot dead in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh by a man who was stalking the elder sister (17), for several months. Despite being booked by the police in an FIR, he was released on bail. The younger girl, 13, was shot since she was a prime witness to her sister’s murder.

Rise in Crime

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a written answer to the legislative assembly last month, mentioned that crimes against women had risen in the past one year. The CM holds the Home portfolio as well in the state.

Between April 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018, there has been a 25% increase in rapes, 40% rise in incidents of outraging the modesty, 35% jump in cases of kidnappings of women, and a 50% increase in cases of eve teasing.

Based on this answer given on March 13, the Economic Times, reported that between April 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018, there has been a 25% increase in rapes, 40% rise in incidents of outraging the modesty, 35% jump in cases of kidnappings of women, and a 50% increase in cases of eve teasing. This increase has been from the corresponding period in 2016-17.

According to Adityanath, the state is now sending a proposal to Centre to amend the law and make rape of minors punishable with a death penalty.

Three states namely, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already passed a bill which allows death penalty for those found guilty of raping a girl under 12 years.

In the Etawah case, Jitendra Kumar, the brother of the deceased, told ET on phone that the family had lodged a complaint against a person named Jeetu some months back for harassing and stalking his sister, Sandhya (17).