Hyderabad: The introduction of Nirbhaya Act appears to have left no impact on the mindset of criminals who raped as many as 145 girls in Hyderabad City Police limits in the current year.

There has been an alarming increase in the number of rape cases in the city compared to last two years. While 75 cases of rape were reported in 2012, they increased to 102 in 2013. This year, as many as 145 rape cases have been reported in the limits of Hyderabad City Police. Although the other crimes against women like dowry murders are on decline, the criminals have started using cyber space to target innocent women. As against nine cases of dowry murders in 2013, this year there were only two dowry murders. There is a slight increase in cases of dowry death as 29 cases were reported so far compared to 28 during last year. A total of 1,674 harassment cases were registered this year compared to 2,238 cases reported in previous year.

Disclosing these statistics during the annual press conference here on Saturday, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy informed that the Cyber Crime wing has registered 90 cases of uploading fake profile of women in social media. Last year only 16 such cases were reported. Similarly, the cases of staking SMS, email and calls have more than doubled from 46 in 2013 to 105 this year.

There has been a significant increase in kidnapping cases in the city. As against 130 cases in 2013, the number of kidnappings has increased to 356 in 2014. However, offences like murder for gain, murder, snatching, pseudo police, diverting attention, automobile and other theft cases have decreased this year compared to previous year. There were five cases of murder for gain, 103 murders, five Culpable Homicide, 10 dacoities, 52 robberies, 699 house burglaries, 3,649 ordinary theft, 1,264 hurt cases, 2,377 cheatings, 107 Criminal Breach of Trust and 54 rioting cases registered by the city police this year. While 16,359 cases were registered in 2013, this year the number stood at 16,537 registering a marginal increase.

The Commissioner said that as against the sanctioned strength of 12,401 personnel, the present strength of Hyderabad Police stood at 9,744 while 2,657 or almost 21% posts are lying vacant. Despite shortage of staff, the city police has effectively handled bandobust for events like General Elections or Assembly sessions, ensured peaceful conduct of different festivals, anniversaries of Mecca Masjid blast and Babri Masjid demolition and VIP visits.

Mahender Reddy also presented an overview of different initiatives being taken by the Hyderabad Police to ensure peace and maintain law and order in the twin cities.

When asked about an event to be held by right-wing organisations in connection with religious conversions, the Commissioner said he had no information about the proposed event. However, he said that the police would act as per the law to handle such cases. He also denied reports of Hyderabad turning into a safe hub for terrorists and such activities are being effectively monitored by keeping a watch on the suspicious persons.