3 hrs ago
Mumbai Reports Fewer Sexual Offence Cases; Lawyers Question Safety
Mumbai recorded fewer rape and molestation cases in the first eight months of 2026 than in the same months of 2025.
The number of arrests in those categories also went down.
Police also registered 238 cases involving sexual intercourse through deceitful means, but the article gives no comparable number for 2025.
Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said crime against women had declined and that police were detecting more cases.
Lawyer Naksi cautioned that fewer reports do not automatically mean women are safer.
She said women may face discouragement when trying to report offences.
She also said police had not traced the person who harassed her.
The article describes several allegations of sexual offences reported in Mumbai during 2026.
Mumbai Police recorded 596 rape cases from January through August 2026, down 8.7% from 653 in the same period of 2025.
Molestation cases fell 11.5%, from 1,677 to 1,484; arrests in both categories also declined.
Police reported 238 cases involving sexual intercourse through deceitful means in 2026, but comparable 2025 figures were unavailable.
Commissioner Deven Bharti said crimes against women had declined around 4% and cited improved detection.
Lawyer Naksi argued that reporting barriers mean falling case numbers do not necessarily show women are safer.
- Who
- Mumbai Police, Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, lawyer Naksi, and women who reported alleged offences.
- What
- Police figures showed declines in reported rape and molestation cases, while a lawyer questioned whether this means women are safer.
- Where
- Mumbai, India.
- When
- The statistics compare January-August 2026 with the same period in 2025.
- Why
- Police cited a decline in crime and improved detection; the lawyer said barriers to filing complaints may affect what the figures show.
Police assessment
Lawyer's concerns
Meaning of declining case numbers
Police assessment
Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said crimes against women had declined around 4%, alongside improved detection across nearly every category.
Lawyer's concerns
Lawyer Naksi said fewer complaints cannot automatically be taken as proof that women are safer, because survivors may be discouraged from reporting.
Crime detection
Police assessment
Bharti reported 85% overall detection and 99% detection in serious offences during January-August.
Lawyer's concerns
Naksi questioned the figures and alleged police had failed to trace her harasser.
Key facts
- Rape cases
- 596 in January-August 2026, compared with 653 in the same period of 2025; a decline of 8.7%.
- Rape arrests
- 588 in 2026, compared with 640 in the corresponding 2025 period.
- Molestation cases
- 1,484 in January-August 2026, compared with 1,677 in the same period of 2025; a decline of 11.5%.
- Molestation arrests
- 1,455 in 2026, compared with 1,672 in the corresponding 2025 period.
- Deceit-related cases
- 238 cases and 218 arrests were recorded in 2026; comparable 2025 data was unavailable.
- Detection figures
- Bharti reported 85% overall crime detection and 99% detection in serious offences during January-August.
- 2025 annual figures
- Mumbai recorded 1,262 rape cases and 2,468 molestation cases throughout 2025.
Quotes
Naksi
A lawyer who questioned whether declining crime figures indicate greater safety for women.
“The police may be pointing to a decline in crimes against women, but this cannot automatically be seen as an indication that women are safer in Mumbai. There is systematic discouragement when women try to file complaints.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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