By IANS,
New Delhi : The national capital is second only to Uttar Pradesh in crime against women cases, Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury informed the Lok Sabha Friday.
Renuka Chowdhury, citing data provided by the National Commission for Women (NCW), said the total number of such cases in Delhi in 2008 stood at 724.
The NCW put the total number of cases, including rape, torture for dowry and harassment against women, in Uttar Pradesh at 2,381. It is the highest in the country in 2008.
Chowdhury told the Lok Sabha Friday that there has been an increase in the number of cases of crime against women over the last three years in the country.
“The data available with the NCW indicates an increase in the number of complaints received on dowry, rape and harassment against women,” Chowdhury said.
Across the country in 2006, the total number of such cases was 2,155 which increased to 4,218 the following year. This further went up to 4,712 in 2008.
In Delhi, the cases of crime against women were recorded at 343 in 2006, 539 in 2007, and 724 in 2008.
Chowdhury added: “The increase in the number of complaints may be due to increased awareness.”
The NCW, according to the minister, has proposed amendments to the Dowry Prohibition Act and laws relating to rape to make these more stringent.
“A legislation against sexual harassment of women at workplaces is also on
the anvil,” she said.