One in ten rape victims in Gurgaon is minor: Cops

The incidence of minors getting raped in Gurgaon is on the rise. At least one in every 10 rape cases registered in the recent past in the district, the victim was found to be a minor.

“In the recent past, at least one out of 10 rape cases is of a minor. However, it is difficult to get an exact count as there is no separate section in IPC under which minor rape cases are recorded,” said Maheshwar Dayal, joint commissioner of police.

According to police records, a total of 58 rape cases have been registered till June this year, up from 49 such cases registered last year. The official number of minor rapes couldn’t be ascertained as the police have not been maintaining a record with regard to this offence.

In the last two months, the Gurgaon Civil Hospital itself has seen five minor rape victims.

“In June, we saw three such cases, while in May, two had come in. This is the first time that I have seen so many minor rape cases coming in for examination to a government hospital,” said BK Rajora, civil surgeon, Gurgaon.

However, police officials say that there is no need for amendment in the Indian Penal Code after the introduction of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2012. “I do not see a need for a separate provision for minor rapes as cases can be registered now under the POCSO Act, which is very detailed”, said Rahul Sharma, deputy commissioner of police (South), Gurgaon.

The POCSO Act, 2012 ensures a child-friendly judicial process. It encourages the minor victims of sexual abuse to bring the offender to book and get assistance in overcoming their trauma.

“The increasing number of decisions in reported cases is a result of the clause of speedy trial under POCSO. There are guidelines for the punishment of accused who are known, relatives or strangers,” Sharma said.