An average of 317 women and children were raped and 1,050 molested each month in the state between January and May this year

An average of 317 women and children were raped and 1,050 molested each month in the state between January and May this year.

These chilling statistics are part of the figures placed before the Assembly yesterday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which also stated that 2,394 cases of children being kidnapped were reported across the state in the same period.

According to the data placed before the Assembly, 1,585 rape cases were reported in the first five months of the year and eleven cases of attempted rape were registered in the period. 5,250 cases of molestation of women and children were also registered in various police stations of the state.

The statistics revealed that 2,394 incidents of child kidnapping were reported and the total number of cases of crime against children were 5,035. Of these, 196 girls were reported kidnapped and 96 raped. The crime rate could not be compared with the corresponding period of the previous years as the relevant information was not tabled.

Fast track

Fadnavis, who also heads the home department, said in the written reply given to all party MLAs, including Nirmal Gavit, Amin Patel, Ashish Shelar, Sardar Tara Singh and several others that all police commissionerates and district police headquarters controlled crime prevention units as well as special cells to assist victims in getting speedy justice.

“There are special committees to ensure the safety of women at every level of policing,” he said. The CM added that the state had established 27 fast-track courts to try cases of crime against women and welfare cells were operational in each police station for the protection of children.