CRIME AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA

1. INTRODUCTION
Centuries have come, and centuries have gone, but the plight of women is not
likely to change. T ime has helplessly watched women suffering in the form of
discrimination, oppression, exploitation, degradation, aggression, humiliation .
In Indian society, woman occupies a vital position and venerable place. The
Vedas glorified women as the mother, the creator, one who gives life and
worshipped her as a Devi' or Goddess. But their glorification was rather
mythical for at the same time, in India women found herself totally suppressed
and subjugated in a patriarchal society.
Indian women through the countries remained subjugated and oppressed
because society believed in clinging on to orthodox beliefs for the brunt of
violencedomestic as well as public, Physical, emotional and mental . Male
violence against women are worldwide phenomenon. Fear of violence is an
important factor in the lives of most women. Fear of violence is the cause of
lack of participation in every sphere of life. There are various forms of crime
against women. Sometimes it is even before birth, some times in the adulthood
and other phrases of life. In the Indian society, position of women is always
perceived in relation to the man. This perception has given birth to various
customs and practices.
Violence against women both inside and outside of their home has been a
crucial issue in the contemporary Indian society. Women in India constitute

near about half of its population and most of them are grinding under the
socio-cultural and religious structures. One gender has been controlling the
space of the India 's social economic, political and religious fabric since time
immemorial. The present study felt the need that in the era of globalization and
modernization the present trends of crimes against women is on increase.

2. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In Indian Society the problem of violence against women is not new. Indian
Society has been bound by culture and tradition since ancient times. The
gender stereo-types in the family and society have always shown a preference
for the male child. Cases of female foeticide, female infanticide, sexual abuse,
childprostitution, molestation, rape, wife-beating and bride burning have
become so common in India.

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Devi and Prema (2006) explain that the main cause of domestic violence
against women are unequal power relations, gender discrimination, patriarchy,
economic dependence of women, dowry, low 45 moral values, negative portrayal
of womens images in media, no participation in decision-making, gender
stereotypes and a negative mindset. There are various manifestations of
violence, which includes beating, mental torture, forced pregnancy, female
infanticide, rape, denial of basic necessities and battering. The worst form of
violence is dowry murder.

Devi (2005) states that domestic violence against women is a global

phenomenon. The domestic violence may take the form of wife battering,
demand for more dowry, divorce, bride burning, psychological torture, wordy
quarrels, uncare and so on. The increased economic insecurity, unemployment,
poverty, alcoholism, lack of mutually satisfying relationship and lack of a sense
of belonging are the reasons for the increased domestic violence.
Kothari (2005) explains that domestic violence needs a coordinated and
systemic response from the justice system. Though section 498A of the Indian
Penal Code is one of the most significant criminal laws protecting womens
rights and the law may consider domestic violence against women an offence,
the police may still not comply and implement it effectively.

4. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this researcher is to :
1. To know and analyse the present crime trend rapidly increasing against
women in India.
2. To explore the main causes in increasing the crimes against women in
India.
3. To understand the existing law in India pertaining to combat such crimes.
4. To know where the government machinery is failed to control the same.

5. HYPOTHESIS
1. The crime against women has increased under IPC during last five years in
india.

2. The crime against women has increased more in Mega Cities of India
compare to total National crime record.

6. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research methodology applied is Doctrinal one, where all the referred
material have been taken from various library resources such as, books,
articles, journals, cyberspace and legal data-bases, and no practical or field
work has been done. It will involve secondary data such as various Acts, Rules
and

regulations,

Judgements,

Articles,

Published

Reports,

Books

and

Journals. The research is based on comments and judgements of various

important cases.

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ahuja, Ram. 2015. Crime against Women.
Rawat Publications jaipur.
Social Problems in India.
Crime in India. 2015.
National Crime Record Bureau. Kumar, J.L. 1998.
Women and Crime. New Dehli: Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd.
Radford, L., and Tsutsumi, K. 2004.
Globalization and Violence against Women.
Singh, Indira Jai. 2007. Law of Domestic Violence.

New Dehli: Universal law Publishing Co.Pvt Ltd..