Five-year-old raped in Delhi
A five-year-old rape victim is moved to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences hospital from Swami Dayanand hospital for treatment in New Delhi April 19, 2013. (Credit: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)

The onslaught of mass protests against the recent rape and torture of a five-year-old girl in Delhi has once again put the spotlight on the city's distinction as India's rape capital.  

Crimes against women and the innocent have escalated at an abnormal rate, particularly in the last few months.

Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on Tuesday released statistics that showed a 158 percent rise in rape cases in the national capital this year till 15 April. Molestation cases rose by 600 percent and eve-teasing cases by 700 percent.

The statistics says that 463 rape cases have been reported in Delhi this year as against 179 cases reported during the same period last year. Also, 973 molestation cases against women have been registered this year as against 139 such cases in 2012, and eve teasing cases increased from 49 to 433.

It was also revealed that 97 percent of rape cases happened in homes, while three percent were committed by strangers.

Neeraj Kumar said that complaints have increased drastically after the 16 December Delhi gang-rape case which triggered mass protests across the country. The 23-year-old medical student, who was left severly injured after being gang-raped, died a fortnight later.

The statistics showed that 178 rape cases were connected to lovers or friends of the victims; 115 accused were neighbours; 15 accused are employers or co-workers; 12 by family members; 10 fathers or step-fathers; nine by husbands and ex-husbands; nine by brothers-in-law; eight by landlords; three by tenants; and two by fathers-in-law.

Amid the anger and criticism levelled against at the police for their indifferent attitude towards such crimes, the police commissioner said that the rise in complaints show likewise, i.e. the authorities' efforts in registering such cases.

The national capital, which witnessed mass protests following the brutal gang-rape and death of a young medical student in December last year, is facing a similar situation after the gang-rape of a five-year-old minor who is currently undergoing medical treatment for brutal injury to the girl's private parts.

The girl was abducted by her neighbour on 15 April and was held captive in apartment in Gandhi Nagar, east Delhi, for two days without food and water. Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where the girl is being treated, found foreign objects inside her body.

The main accused, Manoj Kumar, 25, from Bihar and his accomplice, Pradeep, a native of Darbhanga district of Bihar were arrested in connection with the crime.

Five rape cases against minors have been reported this month in the country.

The government of India had recently passed a stringent anti-rape bill following public outrage over rising rate of rape incidents across the country.