After the brutal Delhi gang rape incident, Chandigarh too had its share of infamy. Within a span of three months, 40 men, most of them between the age group of 18-25 were put behind bars in Model Jail, Burail on charges of rape, molestation and sexual harassment.
According to the Burail Jail officials, the number of convicts in rape and molestation cases has been rapidly increasing here.
According to the latest records with Chandigarh Police, 43 cases of molestation under IPC Section 354, 294 IPC and 12 cases of sexual harassment under IPC Section 509 has been registered in Chandigarh recently.
The rapid increase in such cases indicates that women are now coming forward to confront such miscreants with their legal rights.
With tempers flaring high after last year’s Delhi rape case, women have become more aware of their legal rights and now eve-teasing is not considered as a minor offence.
“Earlier, there were very few cases of undertrials under the cases of molestation in jail. But now, a notable increase has been observed in a short duration of three months only,” said Amandeep Singh, Jail Superintendent, Burail Jail, Chandigarh.
Ashish Kapoor, DSP, Central, said, “Women are now coming forward and are willingly registering their complaints to us. Compared to earlier times, the current year recorded a major increase in the registration of molestation and eve teasing cases.”
Meanwhile, the city lawyers believe that awareness about the legal facts can prevent the increasing graph of crime and will be helpful for the complainant to punish the accused in short time.
Pankaj Chandragotia, lawyer, said awareness about the legal aspects of these offences can help a lot.
Earlier, three months back, nearly 25 rape accused in Burail jail had postponed their bail plea considering public hostility after Delhi rape case.