Of 327,394 cases of crime against women reported during 2015, 113,403 cases or 34.6% were of cruelty by husband or his relatives, according to Crime in India 2015, the latest available data from the National Crime Records Bureau.

Most cases of cruelty by husbands or their relatives were reported in West Bengal (17%) followed by Rajasthan (12.6%), Assam (9.9%) and Uttar Pradesh (7.6%); the four states together accounted for 48% of such cases.

Other top crimes against women were assault with intent to outrage her modesty (25.2%), kidnapping and abduction (18.1%) and rape (10.6%).

From 2014 to 2015, cases of cruelty by husband or his relatives declined 7.7% and rape cases declined 5.7%. Cases of assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty increased 0.2% and kidnapping and abduction increased 3.4%.

There has been a 3.1% decline in crimes against women in 2015 compared to 2014.

Source: Crime in India, 2015

(Yadavar is a principal correspondent with IndiaSpend.)

Swagata Yadavar