The data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) confirmed greater than 270 circumstances of rape in custody have been registered from 2017 to until 2022. The ladies rights activists attributed such cases to lack of sensitisation and accountability inside regulation enforcement methods.
There has been a gradual lower in such circumstances through the years. In 2022, 24 circumstances have been registered, down from 26 in 2021, 29 in 2020, 47 in 2019, 60 in 2018 and 89 in 2017, the data highlighted.
Cases of custodial rape are registered beneath Indian Penal Code part 376 (2). It pertains to the offense of rape dedicated by a police officer, jailer, or some other one that has the lawful custody of a lady.
This part particularly offers with circumstances the place the perpetrator takes benefit of their place of authority or custody to commit the crime of rape in opposition to a lady.
Highest variety of custodial rape in UP
Uttar Pradesh accounts for the very best variety of circumstances at 92 of the 275 circumstances of custodial rape registered since 2017, adopted by Madhya Pradesh at 43 circumstances.
Population Foundation of India, govt director, Poonam Muttreja stated, “Custodial settings provide unique opportunities for abuse, with state agents often using their power to force or coerce sexual access.”Â
“There are instances where women taken into custody for their protection or due to their vulnerable status, such as victims of trafficking or domestic violence, are subjected to sexual violence, reflecting a misuse of power under the guise of state protection,” she stated.
Muttreja highlighted that there’s a complicated interaction of things contributing to custodial rape, together with patriarchal social norms, insufficient gender-sensitivity coaching for regulation enforcement and stigma surrounding victims.
She pressured on the pressing want for victim-centric strategy, strengthened authorized frameworks, and institutional reforms to handle the foundation causes and penalties of custodial rape successfully.
“The reported cases of custodial rape are often a manifestation of power imbalances and a lack of accountability within our law enforcement systems,” Muttreja stated.
She stated such rape causes embody patriarchal social norms, abuse of energy by authorities, lack of gender-sensitivity coaching for police and societal stigma hooked up to victims. These components contribute to an atmosphere the place such heinous crimes can happen and, in lots of circumstances, go unreported or unaddressed,” she stated.
Muttreja stated that to handle the foundation causes and penalties of custodial rape successfully, the federal government should take a multi-faceted strategy.
“This should include legal reform, better training for law enforcement, social and behaviour change communication to change social norms and stronger mechanisms for accountability. Additionally, fostering partnerships with NGOs, civil society and community groups can help in creating a more inclusive and informed response to this grave situation,” she stated.
Reflecting on her experiences as a Nguvu Change Leader from ladies’s management organisation Nguvu collective enterprise rescue operations, Pallabi Ghosh shared troubling accounts of survivors alleging rape by law enforcement officials.
Ghosh highlighted that “the pervasive culture of impunity and victim-blaming within law enforcement is hindering survivors from seeking justice”.
“Custodial rape is a very common scenario in police stations. The way the junior police officers, even lady constables talk to survivors, show that they have zero empathy for them,” she stated.
She emphasised the crucial want for sensitisation and consciousness amongst police personnel, coupled with authorized mechanisms to carry perpetrators accountable.
(With PTI inputs)
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