India: Nearly half of all rape charges false, say cops

Article here. Excerpt:

'After two recent cases, one of alleged rape and another of gang-rape, turned out false cases, police are in a quandary. Policemen refusing to file cases in such matters can be charged under Section 166 of IPC (public servant disobeying law), which attracts punishment of a year in prison.

IG Meerut zone, Alok Sharma said, "From January 2014 to May 2015, 400 dowry-related cases were filed in Meerut Mahila thana. Of those, in 122 cases, rape charges were slapped against either the husband or his relatives. In 30% of such cases, rape charges were made." He said he smelt something suspicious in the high numbers of women bringing rape charges.
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Unwilling to be quoted in the matter, a senior police officer said, "Almost half all cases of rape are turning out false. Renowned lawyer KK Pahwa corroborated this opinion. "Just about half the rape cases end up genuine ones," he said, adding that the matter is grave, since marital discord is often reported as a case of rape against relatives of the husband. 

Pahwa said, "Women are taking to levelling charges of rape in a bid to humble opponents. In 2014, the Allahabad HC, in its 'Shaukeen Vs State' verdict, said the police could not arrest a man immediately, even if the offence he is alleged to have committed attracts punishment of up to seven years in jail. That is why lawyers have struck on a new strategy -- they include Section 376 of IPC (rape) along with 377 (unnatural sex) or at times even 276 D (gang-rape). These sections call for immediate arrest. If convicted of crimes under these sections, the person may end up in jail for the rest of his life."'