Summer alert

Mon, May 5 01:00 AM

Year after year, Delhi has received the shameful title of 'rape capital of India.' And it's the summer months that record a higher number of molestation incidents than any other time of the year.

According to Sunita Sharma, SHO, Crime Women's Cell, "We get 18-20 calls in a day, sometimes even 50. The numbers are a lot more in summer and during the holiday season.

" This data is being studied by specialists of the Crime Branch and the Women's Cell. What is it about summer that brings out the beast in Delhi's men? According to psychologist Megha Gore, it's a phenomenon triggered off more by the environment rather than something deeply psychological.

"Even normal people get agitated in the heat so someone dealing with anger and control issues will definitely be more temperamental. The heat does affect the mood in that sense," she explains.

In light of this, it becomes important for women to understand the regulations put in place to ensure their safety. Here are a few provisions that the city's police has put in place to ensure that those within its ranks don't abuse their power.

The police provides that "as far as is practicable" women should only be arrested by women officers. Assuming you are not at the scene of a heinous crime, remember this and don't let a group of male cops take you into custody.

Not just that. Another provision says, "Searches of women should only be made by other women officers, with strict regard to decency.

" What this means is that no cop can use his badge as an excuse to feel you up. For women who brave statistics and live the life they want to, this is perhaps the most important provision to take note of- "The arrest of women between sunset and sunrise must be avoided.

" If you have to be taken down to the police station at midnight, you have the right to refuse to go until morning.

Inside News

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