Four murders that took place in Delhi on Thursday (May 1) are the latest in a series of crimes that have earned Delhi the dubious distinction as nation's crime capital.
Among the 35 major cities in India, Delhi tops the list of number of reported crime cases for five years in a row. Delhi leads in almost all violent crimes including murder, dowry deaths, rape, molestation and abduction.
According to official figures, Delhi witnessed 134 murders and 119 attempts on life during the first three months of the year. At least 20 murders were registered in the city in April. This is in addition to the number of cases that go unreported.
The annual crime statistics compiled by the Delhi police reveals that 467 murders, 499 attempted murders, 581 rapes and 1764 dacoities were registered in the city during 2007.There was a 200 percent increase in cyber crimes, including credit card frauds, in 2007.
Linked to this trend of crimes against women was an overwhelming sense of individualisation, manifested in a culture of non-intervention. Therefore, we have a society which is totally silent and non-interventionist. Why is it that in Delhi young girls in buses don't find any support when they are harassed? People get emboldened when they see such social silence around them.
There is almost a voyeuristic element in the passivity of the denizens of Delhi and it is here that the role of the Delhi Police becomes vital. University students feel that often the police themselves were found to be indulging in mild forms of ogling or eve-teasing or appeared completely non-serious about their responsibilities.
