India: Mewat sees rise in false cases of rape

Article here. Excerpt:

'HANDIGARH: The Mewat district in Haryana, where Muslims are in majority and which is also one of the most backward areas of the state, has witnessed a surge in false cases of rapes and molestation, allegedly for settling personal scores.

According to Mewat superintendent of police, Pankaj Nain, police have so far cancelled 32 false FIRs of rape in the last five years while investigations into 19 other cases were presently on. In most cancelled cases, the complainants were Muslim women, he said.

"The cases which have been cancelled by us so far included those registered by vested interests, who wanted to settle scores with their rivals. In some cases, the complainant did not join investigations after registration of case or turned hostile at the time of recording of statements by judicial magistrate," said Nain.

"However, as provided under law, we have started taking action against such complainants, who are misleading police to settle personal scores," he added.'