Rise in stalking: Activists say cases still under-reported, former top cops list out reasons
India Today
As data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows a rise in stalking cases, former top cops say "stalking has become a national pastime”.
The recently released data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on crime in 2021 suggests the number of cases recorded for stalking has been increasing. In 2021, a total of 9,285 cases of stalking were recorded in the country. Maharashtra topped the list with 2131 cases, followed by 1265 cases in Telangana, and 1,185 cases in Andhra Pradesh.
However, experts suggest the figures aren't justified, as cases are still being underreported.
Speaking to India Today, woman rights activist, and founder of PARI (People Against Rapes in India) Yogita Bhayana said, “I don’t believe the figure. Ideally, the cases should have crossed lakhs. People often don’t report cases of stalking because such incidents are not taken seriously by the police. I myself had to go through a lot to register a case of stalking two years back but no action was taken against my stalker.”
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According to Yogita, action taken in such cases is low and that is why victims often don’t make an effort to file a report. “In most stalking cases, police try to mediate between both parties. Look at what happened to both the girls in Sangam Vihar and Janakpuri. Despite filing cases against their stalkers, one lost her life while the other is on her deathbed.”
A comparison of the data over the years shows that there has been a consistent rise in the number of stalking cases reported in the country. The numbers increased to 9,285 cases in 2021 from 8,512 in 2020 and 8,810 cases in 2019.
Vikram Singh, former Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh said the rise in cases reported is due to women feeling empowered post the Nirbhaya case. He said, “After the Nirbhaya case, women feel empowered to register cases, but that’s the only silver lining.”
