Malviya Nagar police station: One police officer for 2,000 people, lone woman cop handles rape cases

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Rape cases rose from six in 2014 to 14 in 2015 between January 1 and April 15, while molestation cases increased from 13 to 26. Its problems are eerily similar to Vasant Vihar — a severe staff crunch problem and just one woman sub-inspector to investigate all rape and heinous cases against women.

Sources in South district police told The Indian Express that the Malviya Nagar police station, which already suffers from a staff shortage, ends up losing most of its personnel on security duty as many are deployed at the sensitive Jorbagh karbala and outside the mosque in Khirki Extension.

“There are some unauthorised colonies such as Hauz Rani, Begumpur camp, Jagdamba camp and Khirki Extension, where most cases of crimes against women are reported. A study of these cases has revealed that in most incidents, the victims were molested either by a friend or a family member. In some incidents, cases were filed after arguments between tenants and landlords over rent and electricity,” a police officer said.

With jurisdiction over an area of two-and-half sqkm, Malviya Nagar police station also covers some of the up-market colonies such as Press Enclave, Shivalik, Sheikh Sarai and Panchsheel. The sanctioned strength for the police station is 203, but only 141 police personnel work here. That is one police officer for 2,000 citizens.

After the crime-mapping exercise, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi had directed all the area officers concerned to put in place preventive measures to curb crimes against women. “There is only one woman sub-inspector who is handling all the cases of rape and heinous crimes against women. Other cases such as molestation, harassment, stalking are given to male sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors,” a police officer said.

If Vasant Vihar has seen the highest number of rape cases, three others — Malviya Nagar, Mehrauli, Vasant Kunj (South) — from south Delhi are among the top 10 areas where most cases have taken place. South Delhi police stations have now replaced places areas such as Govindpuri, Ambedkar Nagar and Kanjhawala in recording the highest crimes against women.