The acquittal rate of accused in cases of serious crimes against women in Madhya Pradesh is shocking. In the year 2023, out of 7048 cases, the accused were acquitted in 5571 cases. The accused are being acquitted due to the victims changing their statements under pressure and weaknesses in evidence collection.
By Prashant Pandey
Published Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:38:48 AM (IST)
Updated Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:54:44 AM (IST)
HighLights
- The acquittal rate of accused in crimes against women is shocking.
- The accused are also being acquitted due to the victims changing their statements under pressure.
- Justice is delayed due to weaknesses in evidence collection and delay in interpretation.
State Bureau, Naiduniya, Bhopal(Crime Against Women in MP). Daughters and women are not getting justice even in serious crimes including rape. The situation is that in about 75 percent of the cases the accused escape. The main reason behind this is that the victims change their statements under pressure.
Apart from this, due to weaknesses in evidence collection and delay in investigation, the victims are not getting justice. According to a report of the Home Department, in the year 2023, 7048 cases related to serious crimes against women were decided in the District and Sessions Courts.
Punishment took place only in 21 percent of the cases.
Of these, the accused were acquitted in 5571 cases. Punishment was achieved only in 1477 cases. Thus, punishment was given only in 21 percent of the cases. Similarly, in the year 2024, decisions were taken in 4357 cases between January and September. In this, punishment was given only in 835.
In 3522 cases, the accused escaped, i.e., they were punished only in 19 percent of the cases. These include cases of rape, gang rape, murder after rape, murder, attempt to murder, acid attack, dowry death etc. The major weakness in evidence collection is the lack of forensic team. The forensic team is able to reach the spot only in big crimes.
Investigation of more than four thousand DNA samples stuck, justice delayed
Along with the low conviction rate in crimes against women, there is also delay in getting justice due to laxity in the government process.
The situation is such that testing of more than four thousand DNA samples is stuck in various labs of the state. Due to delay in the prosecution process, we had to write a letter to the court asking for the test report of the sample.
shortage of investigating officers
There are about 25 thousand investigation officers in the state police, while about five lakh crimes are being committed every year in the state. Of these, more than 30 thousand crimes are committed against women.
The sanctioned strength of police in the state is 1 lakh 26 thousand, whereas the number of posted officers is only 1 lakh. The right to investigate rests with the head constable or a higher police officer.
In 80 percent cases, punishment is not given due to lack of evidence.
Although it seems that a case has been filed, the police neglects to collect all the facts required to prove the case. Can’t bring more than 30-40 percent evidence. The second, smaller reason is that the parties also compromise. However, in 80 percent of the cases, the reason for non-punishment is lack of evidence. Our police and investigation system is very weak. – Ajay Gupta, senior advocate and expert in criminal matters
