Frivolous rape cases are on the rise in the Capital, if the Rape Crisis Cell of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) is to be believed. According the data, 1,466 of the 2,753 rape cases registered with the women's panel between April 2013 and July 2014 were found to be false. Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women Barkha Singh said such "frivolous" complaints were worrisome. "We examine these cases very carefully.

Some women are using this as a tool to extort vulnerable men," she said, adding that some women were taking it as 'business'. Of the total cases registered, only 1,287 cases have been proven to be correct. As per the data, there has been a considerable rise in the registration of rape cases in the last seven months.

According to the data retrieved during the period June 2013-December 2013, as many as 525 false rape cases were registered with the women's panel. The number went up to 900 between January and July this year. The kind of cases that generally turn out to be false are mostly filed by live-in partners, people who want to settle personal scores matters, those who want to implicate their in-laws in cases.

"In many cases, the complainant turns hostile, and revenge or extortion of money emerges to be the most common reason for filing a false complaint," Sudha Tokas, DCW member and member in-charge Rape Crisis Cell told MAIL TODAY.

"A few months ago, a woman tenant had come to file a case of sexual assault against her landlord. While we recorded her statement and asked her about the expectation out of the case, she demanded Rs 32 lakh. She also refused to get her medical examination done and was reluctant to go to court when offered legal help. Over a period of cross questioning, it turned out to be a false case," said Tokas.

Another case of false rape charges were pressed against a top hospital official by one of the women staffers. During the course of investigation, it has been revealed that she wanted to get her duty shift changed to to day time. She, according to women's panel sources, admitted that she implicated the hospital official in the case.

To find out the probity of such cases, the rape crisis cell along the counsellors carried out a thorough investigation into the allegation. "These cases are extremely sensitive, so we work hard to ensure that acquittal does not happen easily. Speedy justice is given to the victim. We also help the victim collect evidence and give financial assistance for medical checkup," Tokas said.

She said the complainant's cross-examination often reveals the probity of such cases. The commission has the powers to penalise anyone or reprimand the person who registers false cases. The complainants are warned against pressing false charges.