J&K report 3145 rape cases btw 2013-22, 3000 arrested

2994 charge-sheeted, 2000 trials completed: Centre

SRINAGAR: Between 2013 and 2022, Jammu & Kashmir recorded a staggering 3,145 registered cases of rape. Out of these, 1,962 cases were formally chargesheeted under Section 376 IPC.
Despite legal proceedings, only 153 convictions were secured during this period. Trials were completed in 2,005 cases, reflecting the judicial efforts to address these heinous crimes.
Law enforcement arrested a total of 2,990 individuals in connection with these cases. Additionally, 2,994 individuals were formally charge-sheeted, highlighting the extent of legal action taken. However, the relatively low number of convictions, totaling only 180, underscores the challenges in achieving justice for victims of rape in the region after trials.
This was informed by the Minister Of State (Independent Charge) Of the Ministry of Law And Justice, the Minister of State in the Ministry Of Parliamentary Affairs, and the Minister Of State in the Ministry Of Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal, in Lok Sabha.
The minister informed, “In 2013, a total of 378 cases were registered under Rape (Section 376 IPC) in Jammu & Kashmir, out of which 241 cases were chargesheeted and 22 cases resulted in convictions. Trials were completed in 374 cases, leading to the arrest of 404 individuals, with 401 persons charge-sheeted and 36 persons convicted”.
In 2014, the number of cases registered decreased to 331, with 225 cases chargesheeted and 18 cases resulting in convictions. Trials were completed in 272 cases, leading to the arrest of 346 individuals, with 339 person chargesheeted and 19 persons convicted, he said.
The minister informed that in Jammu & Kashmir, the data for cases related to Rape (Section 376 IPC) during the years 2015 to 2017 indicates a fluctuating trend. In 2015, there were 296 cases registered, out of which 203 cases were chargesheeted, leading to 16 convictions. Trials were completed in 227 cases, resulting in the arrest of 329 individuals, with 314 persons chargesheeted and 21 persons convicted.
He said, “The following year, in 2016, the number of registered cases decreased to 256, with 185 chargesheeted and 9 resulting in convictions. Trials were completed in 183 cases, leading to the arrest of 343 individuals, with 268 persons charge-sheeted and 9 persons convicted”.
He said, “However, in 2017, there was a slight increase in registered cases, totaling 296, with 185 chargesheets and 16 resulting in convictions. Trials were completed in 181 cases, resulting in the arrest of 311 individuals, with 308 persons charge-sheeted and 23 persons convicted. This data reflects the legal proceedings and outcomes related to rape cases in Jammu & Kashmir during these three years”.
In 2018, in Jammu & Kashmir, there were 320 cases of rape registered, out of which 209 cases were chargesheeted, leading to 23 convictions. Trials were completed in 187 cases, arresting 347 individuals, with 332 being chargesheeted. In 2019, the number of registered cases decreased to 223, with 164 chargesheeted and 15 resulting in convictions. Trials were completed in 193 cases, leading to the arrest of 234 individuals, out of which 239 were charge-sheeted, he said.
He said, “In Jammu & Kashmir, the data for cases related to rape under Section 376 IPC during the years 2020 to 2022 indicates fluctuations. In 2020, there were 243 cases registered, out of which 154 were chargesheeted, resulting in 8 convictions. Trials were completed in 107 cases, leading to the arrest of 242 individuals, with 233 being chargesheeted”.
In 2021, the number of cases registered decreased to 315, with 216 cases being chargesheeted and 15 resulting in convictions. Trials were completed in 111 cases, resulting in the arrest of 313 individuals, out of which 312 were charge-sheeted. In 2022, the trend continued with 287 cases registered, out of which 180 cases were chargesheeted, leading to 11 convictions. The minister said that trials were completed in 170 cases, resulting in the arrest of 271 individuals, with 258 being charge-sheeted.