Even though police claim that Kochi city is one of the safest for women and children, the data released by them proves wrong. During the first three months of this year, 125 cases of crime against women were reported compared to 384 reported in 2012.
However, compared to other districts, crime against women is low in the city. According to the data released by State Crime Records Bureau on the website of Kerala Police, 12 cases of rape were reported in Kochi. In 2012, the same was 28. In the first three months of this year 46 cases of molestation were reported in the city. Last year 108 cases were reported. About four women were kidnapped and 20 cases of domestic violence were also reported from January to March this year.
In Thiruvananathapuram city, 152 case of crime against women, including 10 rape cases, 71 cases of molestation, one case of dowry death and 37 domestic violence cases were reported. In Kozhikode city, 145 cases of crime against women were reported which includes 14 rape cases, 35 cases of molestation, three case of abduction, 24 domestic violence cases in first three months of the year.
The highest number of crime against women in the state was reported in Malappuram district. About 337 cases, including 26 cases of rape, 58 cases of molestation, 160 domestic violence cases were reported. After Malappuram comes Thiruvananthapuram rural with 321 cases, of which 31 are rape cases, 180 molestation cases, two dowry death cases and 65 were cruelty by husband and relatives. In Kannur, 299 cases of crime against women were reported which include 17 rape cases, 79 cases of molestation and nine case of domestic violence. In Ernakulam Rural, 266 case were reported including 26 cases of rape and 70 case of molestation.
In Kollam rural, 28 rape cases and 84 cases of molestation and total 194 cases of crime against women were reported. In Palakkad, 29 cases of rape incidents were reported. The lowest number of crime against women were reported in the city.
According to K G James, Kochi City Police Commissioner, the majority of rape cases reported in the city were actually cheating cases. “There were no real rape cases reported here. The girl elopes with her lover and is cheated in most of the cases. Later when she returns home, the parents lodge complaints with the police and register them as rape cases. As far safety of the women is concerned, we are doing our best. This is why lowest number crime against women have been reported in the city over last several years,” K G James said.