'Over 50% Charges False': CM Gehlot Says Mandatory FIR Behind High Number Of Rape Cases In Rajasthan

While speaking to the media in Jaipur, he accused the opposition of spreading "rumours" that rapes are happening and crime has increased in the state.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Friday said that more than half of the crimes registered against women in the state turn out to be false. "Who rapes? Most of the time perpetrators are girl's relatives, acquaintances & family. There's false data, false cases in 56% of crimes against women. We've initiated action. Those who lodge false cases shouldn't be spared so that they don't dare to defame State Govt & Police, said the Chief Minister, as reported by news agency ANI.

While speaking to the media in Jaipur, he accused the opposition of spreading "rumours" that rapes are happening and crime has increased in the state.

"Our Opposition spreads rumours that rapes are happening and crime has increased. Tell them to read one paragraph of NCRB report. It says that every state has different situations & approaches...Here crime is under control, Gehlot, said while speaking to the media in Jaipur, reported ANI.

Gehlot also said that it is because of the government policies like compulsory registration of FIRs by the police that women do not hesitate in approaching the police station for lodging their complaints.

"Rajasthan Police is doing a wonderful job. The crime in Rajasthan is very less compared to other states because we have corrected that environment. Earlier, many people did not even go inside the police station thinking it would be insulting. Now, there are reception rooms in the police stations. This is a message in itself," he told reporters.

The statement by Gehlot has come after the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its report on Tuesday said that Rajasthan had the highest number of rape cases in the country in 2021.

Of the total 31,677 rape cases registered across the country last year, 6,337 were reported in Rajasthan, followed by 2,845 in Uttar Pradesh, the report released by the NCRB stated, as reported by PTI.

Rajasthan ranks second in overall crimes against women, while it records the highest number of rape cases in India. It is, however, "better positioned" in terms of safety of minor girls, the NCRB report added.

There has been a 19 percent jump in the number of rape cases being recorded in the state. From 5,310 cases of rape registered in 2020, the number went up to 6,337 in 2021, the data showed, as reported by PTI.