Last week on Thursday the National Crime Record Bureau disclosed the crime report for the year 2016, which revealed some startling facts about poll bound Gujarat. The report shines the spotlight on the safety of women and children in Gujarat; the state ranks second in the number of children murdered (below age six) and ranked fifth in the number of Acid attacks on women.
Highest circulation of Fake Currency
The most prominent statistic that came out was the rampant exchange of fake currency in the state, as Gujarat came second after Delhi in the maximum number of seizure of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN).
In all 39,725 notes worth Rs 2,37,24,050 were seized; these include 1,300 notes of the Rs 2,000 denominations, which came in to circulation after demonetisation was implemented, and 16,900 notes of Rs 500 denomination. In all, 68 FIRs have been registered against 83 persons accused of distributing fake currency.
Second in custodial deaths
Gujarat also tied in second with Madhya Pradesh in the highest number of custodial deaths. These include five suicides. Gujarat also ranks third in the number of suicide cases in police custody whereas MP is ranked second with seven custodial suicides. The list was led by Maharashtra with 16 custodial deaths.
Unsafe for children?
Another shocking statistic that emerged from the report was the number of children below six who were murdered. Gujarat stood at a shameful second with 53 children below age murdered.
Gujarat ranks 27th among states in the total number of murders committed in 2016. Of these 94 victims were children aged between one and 18 years. Of the 53 children under age six, 30 were boys and 23 were girls.
Concerns regarding safety of women
With 10 cases of honour killing, Gujarat has taken the third place below Uttar Pradesh with 16 cases and Madhya Pradesh with 18 cases. In cases of murders incited by love affairs, Gujarat stood fourth with 133 cases.
Overall, the state has fared poorly when it comes to crimes against women, as nine acid attack cases have transpired in Gujarat placing it fifth across India in 2016. Around 3,732 domestic violence cases were filed against men by their wives under 498 of IPC.
Gujarat also ranked 10th in rape of girls under 18 (Under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or POCSO Act). Apart from that, 12 women lost their lives due to dowry related violence in 2016.
Other stats
Gujarat came second with the highest number of cases of Special and Local Law (SLL) crimes with 15.5 % along with Tamil Nadu. Kerala with 24.2 % had the highest number of cases. Gujarat also came second in highest SLL crime rate at 457.1 next to Kerala with 1,252.7 in the country during 2016. These figures are quite high as compared to the national average of 147.7
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