(a) whether cases of kidnapping of women are on the rise in the country;
(b) if so, the total number of such cases reported/registered and victims traced/ untraced
during each of the last three years, State-wise;
(c) the steps taken to trace all the kidnapped children;
(d) the total number of accused arrested and gangs busted alongwith the action taken against
them during the said period; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to prevent such cases in future?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)
(a), (b) & (d): As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) a total of 17414, 20416 and 22939 number of cases
of kidnapping and abduction in case of women and girls were reported during 2006-2008. Similarly, a total of
5102, 6377 and 7650 number of cases of kidnapping and children were reported during 2006-2008 The State/UT-¬
wise details of cases of kidnapping and abduction of women and children regarding case registered, cases
charge sheeted, persons arrested and persons convicted during 2006-2008 are placed at Annexure-I and II
respectively. No Information on gangs busted is maintained separately by NCRB.
(c) & (e): As per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India `Police` and `Public Order` are State
subjects and, as such the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation
and prosecution of crime, including tracing all the kidnapped women and children, lies with the State
Governments/UT Administrations. However, Government of India is committed to augment the efforts of
law enforcement agencies of the State Governments/ UT Administrations, who are responsible for ensuring
protection and well-being of the vulnerable sections of society, including women and children. The Ministry
of Home Affairs has, from time to time, been issuing advisories to the State Governments/ UT Administrations
urging them to take effective steps to ensure prevention of crime against women and children and to provide
security and protection to them. A detailed advisory (on prevention of crime against women) dated 4th
September, 2009 has been sent to all State Governments/UT Administrations wherein States/UTs have been
advised to make comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the law enforcement machinery in tackling
the problem of violence against women and take appropriate measures such as improving the safety conditions
on road by increasing police patrolling, especially during the night, using the mobile police vans with women
police officers, installing people friendly street lights on all roads, lonely stretches and alleys and taking
special steps for security of women working in night shifts of call centers etc.
Similarly, a detailed advisory dated 14th July, 2010 has been sent by Government of India to all the State
Governments and UT Administrations wherein States/UTs have been advised to ensure all steps for improving
the safety conditions in schools/ institutions, public transport used by students, children`s parks/ play
grounds, residential localities/ roads etc. It has also been advised that the crime prone areas should be
identified and a mechanism be put in place to monitor infractions in such areas for ensuring the safety
and security of students, especially girls. For this purpose the States/UTs have been advised to take
following steps:
(i) Increase the number of beat constables;
(ii) Increase the number of police help booths/kiosks, especially in remote and lonely stretches;
(iii) Increase police patrolling, especially during nights;
(iv) Posting police officers, especially women, fully equipped with policing infrastructure in crime-prone
areas in adequate number.
There is also a 24-hour toll free emergency helpline service for children in need of care and
protection in several cities under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.