Lok Sabha Question No. 4265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Cases of Sexual Violence
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. June Maliah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4265

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH AUGUST, 2025/SHRAVAN 28, 1947 (SAKA)

CASES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

4265. SMT. JUNE MALIAH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government acknowledges that cases of sexual violence are rising, including in tribal and rural regions like Junglemahal in West Bengal;

(b) the reasons why survivor-centric and time-bound justice legislation is not being prioritised; and

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  adopt  the  Aparajita  Bill  in collaboration with State Governments?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)

(a): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles statistical data on crimes as reported to it by the States/UTs and publishes the same in its annual publication 'Crime in India'. The latest published report pertains to the year 2022. The number of Cases Registered under Crime against

Women during 2020-2022 is as follows:-

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 4265 FOR 19.08.2025

| Year                    |   2020 |   2021 |   2022 |
|-------------------------|--------|--------|--------|
| No. of Cases registered | 371503 | 428278 | 445256 |

The  increased  level  of  education  and  awareness  in  the  society about women's rights, improved law enforcement mechanism, improved ease of access to police stations and facilities for registration of cases, compliance with protocol and advisories for filing of FIR, including Zero FIR, training on gender sensitivity of officers, strict action against erring officials etc., have led to better reporting of crime.

'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  'State'  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibility to maintain law and  order,  protection  of  life  and  property  of  the  citizens  including women, rests with the respective State Governments/UT Administrations.

Government  of  India  gives  utmost  importance  to  safety  and security  of  women  across  the  country  and  continually  monitors  the crime data and trends to roll out necessary intervention through a host of  measures  which  include  amendments  in  criminal  laws, developing

Technological & infrastructural support, conducting training programmes for State Police  Personnel,  financial  assistance  &  issuing Advisories to States and UTs etc.

(b):  Our  country has  a  robust  and  comprehensive  survivor-centric legislative framework to address crimes against women, which includes stringent  criminal  laws  with  clearly  defined  and  enforceable  timelines for  different  stages  of  investigation  and  trial,  as  well  as  provisions  for timely payment of compensation to victims and restriction on adjournments of cases by Courts.

Further,  the  survivor-centric  and  time  bound  justice  legislation have been prioritized in recently enacted three criminal laws- Bharatiya Nyaya  Sanhita(BNS),  Bharatiya  Nagarik  Suraksha  Sanhita(BNSS),  and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam(BSA). Some of the related provisions are as follows:

i. Ease of Reporting: With provisions of online reporting and Zero FIR, a person may now report incidents by electronic communication, without the need to physically visit a police station and file a First Information Report (FIR) at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. This allows for easier and quicker reporting, facilitating prompt action by the police.

ii. Exemption from going to police station: Women, persons below 15 years,  persons  above  60  years,  and  those  with  disabilities  or  acute illness are exempt from attending police stations.

iii. Victim Compensation Scheme: On the recommendation for compensation by the trial court or on the application of victim or his/her dependents,  the  State  or  District  Legal  Service  Authority  shall  award adequate compensation within two months by completing the enquiry.

iv. Faster and Fair Resolution: The new laws promise a faster and fair resolution  of  cases,  instilling  confidence  in  the  legal  system.  Crucial stages  of  investigation  and  trial like -preliminary  enquiry  (to  be completed in 14 days), further investigation (to be completed in 90 days), supply  of  document  to  the  victim  and  accused  (within  14  days), commitment  of  a  case  for  trial  (within  90  days),  filing  of  discharge applications  (within  60  days),  framing  of  charges  (within  60  days), pronouncement  of  judgement  (within  45  days)  and  filing  of  mercy petition (30 days before Governor and 60 days before President) -have been streamlined and to be completed within stipulated time period.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 4265 FOR 19.08.2025

v. Fast-Tracked Investigations: The new laws prioritize the investigations for offences against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information.

vi. Limited  Adjournments:  Courts  can  grant  a  maximum  of  two adjournments  to  avoid  unnecessary  delays  in  case  hearing,  ensuring timely justice delivery.

(c):  The  Bill  has  been  examined  in  consultation  with  the  concerned Departments/  Ministries  and  based  on  their  observations,  the  State Government has been requested to provide their views/clarifications.

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