Key facts
- India faces ongoing challenges in women's safety 14 years after the Nirbhaya case.
- Stricter laws were enacted in 2013, but implementation is considered flawed.
- Police registered over 1,200 cases of crimes against women daily in 2024.
- Cruelty by husbands or relatives constituted the largest category of registered crimes against women.
- Under-reporting of cases remains a significant issue, according to an advocate.
- Measures to improve safety in public spaces, like parks, have been debated for their effectiveness.
Fourteen years after the brutal gang rape and murder of a medical intern in New Delhi, an incident that became known as the Nirbhaya case, India continues to struggle with ensuring women's safety. The case, which occurred on a private bus and led to the execution of four attackers, initially prompted widespread outrage and calls for reform.
In response to the Nirbhaya case, India enacted stricter laws in 2013, enhancing provisions related to sexual offenses and introducing new categories of crimes such as stalking and voyeurism. However, advocates argue that the implementation of these laws has been flawed, leading to significant delays in justice. Seema Samridhi Kushwaha, who represented Nirbhaya's family, highlighted that prosecution evidence in some cases can take years to conclude, and forensic reports are often delayed, hindering timely trials.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2024 indicates that police registered 4,41,534 cases of crimes against women, a slight decrease of 1.5% from the previous year. Despite this statistical decline, the number still translates to over 1,200 registered cases daily. Cruelty by husbands or relatives remained the most common category of reported crimes, with 1,20,227 cases. Rape accounted for 29,536 cases, and 2,06,777 rape cases were pending trial at the end of the year, with a conviction rate of 24.4% for completed trials.
Kushwaha also pointed to the persistent issue of under-reporting, stating that many victims are unable to speak out, particularly against family members. The debate over safety in public spaces has been reignited by a recent alleged gang rape in Delhi's Aastha Kunj Park. In response, the Delhi Development Authority announced measures like restricting park access after sunset, enhancing security, and improving lighting. However, these measures have drawn criticism from students and activists who argue that they place the onus of safety on women rather than addressing the root causes of insecurity and failing to secure public spaces adequately.