GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 703

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26TH JULY, 2023/ SRAVANA 4, 1945 (SAKA)

MISSING WOMEN

703 DR. FAUZIA KHAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is taking cognizance of police reports showing

over 3,594 girls and women as missing in the last six months in the state
of Maharashtra alone;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the measures being taken in this respect;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the details of other such missing women in the country, State-
wise/Union-Territory-wise; and

(e) the details of the proposed measures to be taken in this respect in

order to ensure the safety of women in the country?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a): Yes, Government is taking cognizance of reports of all missing girls

and women.

(b) & (c): The details of measures taken by Maharashtra Police is at

Annexure-I.
 -2-
R.S.US.Q.NO. 703 FOR 26.07.2023

(d): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes

information on crime in its publication “Crime in India”. The published

reports are available until the year 2021. The State/UT-wise (including

Maharashtra) details of missing girls and women from the year 2019-2021

are at ‘Annexure-II’.

(e): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh

Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law

and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including

investigation and prosecution of crime against women rest with the

respective State Governments. The State Governments are competent to

deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws. However, the

Government of India has taken a number of initiatives for safety of women

across the country, which are given below:

i. The Criminal Law (Amendment), Act 2013 was enacted for effective

deterrence against sexual offences. Further, the Criminal Law

(Amendment) Act, 2018 was enacted to prescribe even more

stringent penal provisions including death penalty for rape of girls

below the age of 12 years. The Act also inter-alia mandates

 -3-
R.S.US.Q.NO. 703 FOR 26.07.2023

completion of investigation and filing of charge sheet in rape cases

in 2 months and trials to be completed in 2 months.

ii. Emergency Response Support System provides a pan-India, single

internationally recognized number (112) based system for all

emergencies, with computer aided dispatch of field resources to the

location of distress.

iii. Using technology to aid smart policing and safety management, Safe

City Projects have been sanctioned in first Phase in 8 cities

(Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata,

Lucknow and Mumbai).

iv. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched a cyber-crime

reporting portal on 20th September, 2018 for citizens to report

obscene content.

v. MHA has launched the “National Database on Sexual Offenders”

(NDSO) on 20th September 2018 to facilitate investigation and

tracking of sexual offenders across the country by law enforcement

agencies.
 -4-

R.S.US.Q.NO. 703 FOR 26.07.2023

vi. MHA has launched an online analytic tool “Investigation Tracking

System for Sexual Offences” for Police on 19th February 2019 to

facilitate them to monitor and track time-bound investigation in

sexual assault cases in accordance with Criminal Law (Amendment)

Act 2018.

vii. In order to improve investigation, MHA has taken steps to

strengthen DNA analysis units in Central and State Forensic Science

Laboratories. This includes setting up of State-of-the-Art DNA

Analysis Unit in Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh.

MHA has also sanctioned setting-up and upgrading of DNA Analysis

units in State Forensic Science Laboratories after gap analysis and

demand assessment.

viii. MHA has notified guidelines for collection of forensic evidence in

sexual assault cases and the standard composition in a sexual

assault evidence collection kit. To facilitate adequate capacity in

manpower, training and skill building programs have been

undertaken for Investigation Officers, Prosecution Officers and

Medical Officers. Bureau of Police Research & Development has

 -5-
R.S.US.Q.NO. 703 FOR 26.07.2023

distributed 14,950 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to

States/ UTs as orientation kit as part of training.

ix. MHA has also approved two projects for setting up and

strengthening of Women Help Desks in Police Stations and Anti-

Human Trafficking Units in all districts of the country.

x. In addition to the above-mentioned measures, the Ministry of Home

Affairs have issued advisories from time to time with a view to help

the States/UTs to deal with crimes against women, which are

available at www.mha.gov.in.

xi. In addition to this, the Ministry of Women & Child Development has

set up 733 One Stop Centres in the country. These centres provide

integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence

and in distress, under one roof and provide an integrated range of

services including medical aid, legal aid, temporary shelter, police

assistance, psycho-social counseling.

*******
 Annexure-I/1

Steps taken by the Govt.of Maharashtra for women safety.

1) Prevention of Atrocities against Women Cell-

A cell namely Prevention of Atrocities against Women has been

created vide Government Resolution dated 29.09.1995 at State Police
Headquarters, Mumbai. The cell is headed by the officer of the rank of
Spl. Inspector General of Police. The various instructions from
Government, circulars, guidelines issued by superiors, etc. are being
circulated to field units. The complaints received regarding atrocities
against women, crime against women, ill treatment by Women Cell.
These complaints are enquired and monitored by the concerned police
units in order to provide justice to needy women. Serious offences and
cases are monitored by this cell. This cell undertakes activities like
sensitization of police towards complaints against women.

2) Mahila Police Kaksha (Women Help Desk Police station level)-

In Maharashtra prevention, detection & Investigation of crime

against women is dealt with by the jurisdictional police stations. The
Director General of Police, Maharashtra State, Mumbai has issued
instructions to create Mahila Police Kaksha in each police Station, to
handle the cases regarding crime against women.

3) Mahila Suraksha Samittee-

These committees are established in all 49 Police Units and all

Police Stations across the State. These committees are providing legal
assistance to the women in crises. The samittee consists of women
doctors, women advocates, women professor and social worker etc.

4)Special Juvenile Police Unit and Child Welfare Police Officer (SJPU &
CWPO)-

Special juvenile Police Unit is formed in all 49 Police Units and one
police officer is appointed in each Police Station all over the Maharashtra
State.
 Annexure-I/2

5)Counselling Centres –

This centers are run by Department of Women & Child Development.

Total 39 centers at District level and 111 at Taluka level has been
established across the State. All this centers are situated in the vicinity
of Commissionerate/District Superintendent / Police Stations.

6) Help centers at State Transport Bus Stands-

To provide immediate help and assistance to women and children,

help centers / desks are established at State Transport Bus stands.

7)Women Help Line –

The Toll-free Help Line No.103 for Mumbai, Thane &Navi Mumbai &
for the rest of Maharashtra Help Line No. 1091 are functioning.

8)Complaint Committees at work places –

As per the Vishakha Guidelines of Hon. Supreme Court, New Delhi

these committees are established in all 46 Police Units head quarters
and State CID office, Pune. These committees are tackling the
complaints related to sexual harassment at work places of women
police officers / staff and other ministerial staff working in police
officers.

9)Preventive Action for Eve-Teasing-

Instruction and circulars are issued by office of DGP, MS, for

preventive such incidents. Foot patrolling, patrolling in college area,
Nakabandi , etc are organized regularly by Police units. The lecturers on
security measures and existing laws are being delivered in school and
college level.

10)Sensitization of Police Officers and Men towards the

Complaints of Women –

Laws & amended laws related to crime against women & children
and gender issues of Women & Children are included as Curriculum in
basic training programme of Police Officers at Maharashtra Police
Academy Nashik, and all Police Training Schools and refresher courses
at unit head quarters.
 Annexure-I/3

11)Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) –

Total 45 Anti Human Trafficking Units have been established all

over the Maharashtra. Regular training workshops have been held for
police officers. NGOs and prosecutors to sensitize them regarding Anti
Human Trafficking and its seriousness and impact on society, to develop
victim friendly approach and to enhance their investigative skills. 45
Anti-Human Trafficking units are established in the state of
Maharashtra.

12)Investigative Units Crime against Women –

To investigate various atrocities on women specially rape, dowry

death, kidnapping & abduction, human and immoral trafficking,
domestic violence etc., Investigative Units Crime against Women have
been established in all Police units vide Government
Resolution No. PAW-0616/C.R.492/Spl. -6 dated 12.10.2017.

13)Justice Dharmadhikari Committee-

To prevent crime against women Govt. has constituted committee

underthe chairmanship of retired Justice Shri. Chandrashekhar
Dharmadhikari. This committee submitted Five interim reports and
a final report to Govt. These suggestions received through interim
reports has been accepted by the Government.

14) ManodhairvaVoiana –

Women& Child Welfare Dept has implemented this scheme since

02/10/2013 for rehabilitation of victim of rape and acid attack. The
compensation given under this scheme is revised by Government
Resolution No. Misc.2017/C.R.255/Desk.2 dated 30.12.2017. This
scheme gives compensation as below-

Sr Type of Crime Compensation

No Min. Rs.
Max. Rs.
1 Sexual Offence against 3,00,000/- 10,00,000/-
Children
2 RAPE 3,00,000/- 10,00,000/-
3 Acid Attack grievous 3,00,000/- 10,00,000/-
face injury/handicap
 Annexure-I/4

15) Domestic Volence Act 2005-

To protect the women from domestic violence, this act has come in
force. To implement this act Protection Officers are appointed by Women
and Child Welfare Dept, in all districts and the detail information is
consolidated by the said dept, however the review at the district level is
taken by the district committee headed by Dist. Collector.

16)Dowry Death

The District Vigilance Committee was formed in each district of

Maharashtra State as per Government resolution no. DPA-1083/80519/CA-3,
Dated 29/1/1985. The District Collector was the president of this cell & the
Superintendent of Police, Social Welfare Officer, advocate, women medical
officer, principal of local college, social worker and member of women
organization were working in this cell.

This Committee has been modified as per the resolution by Women &
Child Welfare Dept. no. Ml SC-2011/C.R. 26/Ka-2, dated 2/11/2011. District
collector is the president of this Committee. Meeting of this Committee is
organized by the District collector once in a three months. This Committee
works for various issues related to women atrocity such as Dowry,
Domestic Violence, Immoral Trafficking, Devdasi, etc.

Police Commissioner / Superintendent of Police have been appointed

as District Level Officer.

Police Inspector/ Police Sub Inspector working on Women Suraksha

Committee has been appointed as Police Station Level Officer.

17) Prevention of Female Foeticide-

For the effective implementation of (1) Pre- Conception and Pre-

Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act – 1994
(PCPNDT).

(2) Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act-1971 (MTP) the Police Officer of

the rank of Dy. SP/ACP has been appointed as a Nodal Officer.
 Annexure-I/5

18) Social Awareness programmes-

The Social awareness programmes are conducted by respective

departments such as Home dept., WCD, Labour dept., Public Health dept.,
Social welfare dept., as per their subjects by using medias such as T.V.,
cable network, radio, advertisement boards, news media, pamphlets etc.

19) Investigative Units Crime against Women-

To investigate various atrocities on women specially Rape, Dowry

Death. Kidnapping & Abduction, Human and Immoral Trafficking, Domestic
Violence etc., investigative Units Crime against Women have been
established in all Police units vide Government Resolution No. PAW-
0616/C.R.492/Spl.-6 dated 12.10.2017

20) Bharosa Cell by Nagpur Police-

“One Stop Crisis Centre” is the initiative of Central Govt. to provide

immediately all sort of Aid to the victim of Sexual Assault under the one
roof. In the line of same Nagpur Police established Bharosha Cell. It may
be a first such initiative from Police Department in the country.

21) Special Task Force-

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, New Delhi in Criminal Writ

Petition 76 of 2018 had directed formulation of “Special Task Force" for
implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012".
“Special Task Force” created in All Police Units will work under the
Overall Supervision of the Special Inspector General of Police, PAW, M. S.,
Mumbai.

It is circulated to All 49 Police Units.

******
 Annexure-II
R.J.US.NO.703 FOR 26.07.2023.

State/UT-wise Number of Girls (Below 18 years) & Women (Above 18 years) Missing in the country during 2019-2021
2019 2020 2021
SL State/UT
Girls Women Girls Women Girls Women
1 Andhra Pradesh 2186 6252 2374 7057 3358 8969
2 Arunachal Pradesh 35 11 10 1 1 1
3 Assam 1270 3910 986 3791 1077 2915
4 Bihar 9839 4213 9999 4557 9808 5061
5 Chhattisgarh 3557 15484 3269 15497 3991 18135
6 Goa 37 530 25 481 17 460
7 Gujarat 1403 12012 1345 11817 1474 13747
8 Haryana 2260 8043 2033 8083 2277 10345
9 Himachal Pradesh 353 1648 280 1557 415 1862
10 Jharkhand 481 534 414 532 401 554
11 Karnataka 703 12247 834 11950 1237 12964
12 Kerala 1118 8202 942 5929 951 5657
13 Madhya Pradesh 13315 52119 11885 52357 13034 55704
14 Maharashtra 4579 63167 4517 58735 3937 56498
15 Manipur 68 201 44 128 56 94
16 Meghalaya 94 195 55 133 56 105
17 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 Nagaland 41 16 24 17 19 16
19 Odisha 4435 17134 5815 23506 6399 29582
20 Punjab 1456 4073 1421 4655 1893 5410
21 Rajasthan 3366 19009 3313 21037 4935 25247
22 Sikkim 29 127 14 119 8 147
23 Tamil Nadu 4022 11636 4420 13878 5949 18015
24 Telangana 2840 10744 2232 10917 2994 12834
25 Tripura 133 1439 114 1177 146 1400
26 Uttar Pradesh 3492 8985 2773 8542 3214 9035
27 Uttarakhand 550 2169 585 2381 537 2413
28 West Bengal 11847 54348 11481 51559 13278 50998
TOTAL STATE(S) 73509 318448 71204 320393 81462 348168
29 A&N Islands 41 123 21 105 25 111
30 Chandigarh 302 1071 298 1234 321 1364
31 D&N Haveli and Daman & Diu+ 28 177 18 133 25 148
32 Delhi 7812 19498 7302 19685 7805 21871
33 Jammu & Kashmir* 355 2738 350 2701 443 3178
34 Ladakh - - 4 22 3 22
35 Lakshadweep 0 0 0 0 0 0
36 Puducherry 37 113 36 149 29 196
TOTAL UT(S) 8575 23720 8029 24029 8651 26890
TOTAL (ALL INDIA) 82084 342168 79233 344422 90113 375058
Source: Crime in India
Note : '+' Combined data of erstwhile D&N Haveli UT and Daman & Diu UT during 2019
*' Data of erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir State including Ladakh during during 2019