1 in 4 women who faced crime in Gujarat was cruelty by husband or relatives: NCRB report

More than 25% of crime against women were committed by husbands or their relatives in Gujarat, as per data of 2023. As many as 7,805 cases of crime against women were recorded, of which 2,176 were related to cruelty by husband or his relatives. This includes offences registered under section 498(A) of IPC. This amounts to 27.87 per cent of total crime against women in the state. The data signifies that 1 in 4 women, who have faced crime in Gujarat in 2023, have experienced cruelty by the partner or his relatives.

There were a total of 2,191 women who faced cruelty by husband or by his relatives in the state. Six women out of every 1 lakh population face such issues, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report states.

Section 498(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalises cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a married woman, which can include harassment for dowry or other acts that cause mental or physical harm. It is a cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence punishable by up to three years in prison and or a fine.

In Ahmedabad city alone, 544 cases were registered under section 498(A) in 2023. As many as 545 women were victims of cruelty by husband or relatives, which is almost 18 women per lakh population. In Surat, 339 cases related to cruelty by husband or his relatives, that amounts to 17 women per lakh population, who had to face such crime.

In 99% rape cases offenders were known to victim

As per the NCRB data, 630 out of total 634 rape cases were such that offender was known to victim. In 357 cases, an offence was committed by a friend, online friend, live-in-partner or separated husband on the pretext of marrying the woman. In 235 cases, perpetrators were family friends, neighbours, employers or other known persons. This stands to that almost in 99.4 percent rape cases in the state, accused were known to victim.

Total 2,548 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) in the state in 2023. In Gujarat 2,570 girl child were victims of sexual offences, which amounts to 7 girls per lakh population.

The state saw a mere rise of 0.94 per cent of crime against women. In all, 7,805 cases of crime against women were booked in the state in 2023, compared to 7,731 in 2022.