Resources, reforms needed for effective policing: report

Probe of 58% cases of crimes against women pending as of 2020

As of 2020, investigation of 58% cases of crimes against women and 56% cases of crimes against children were incomplete, said NGO Praja Foundation in its report titled ‘State of Policing and Law and Order in Delhi’.

“There is a dire need to increase human resources in the police force for effective policing and investigation. Reforms such as separation of investigation and law and order functions, awareness of Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and its ability to take decision on cases against atrocities by police, implementation and monitoring of special laws such as POCSO, adopting a multi-stakeholder approach for creating awareness and sensitising people to prevent sexual abuse of children, etc. can help in increasing the safety and security of Delhiites,” said Praja Foundation trustee Nitai Mehta.

Women and children “often bear the brunt of the gaps that exist in our law and order and judicial system”, the report said. Of the total cases of kidnapping and abduction (4.051), 91% (3,862 of 4,235) victims were of kidnapping of children in 2020. According to the report, of the total female victims of abduction and kidnapping (3,025 victims), 92% (2,789) victims were in the age group of 6 to 18 years.