Analysis of Crime Against Foreigners In India

Author: Gunjan Bhagchandani, 7^th  Semester,  Faculty of Law, Lucknow University

India, the land of Respect and Beauty famous for its cultures, traditions and rituals,etc. The country where “atithi Devo Bhava”(guest is god)has remain a tradition for millions of years, where guest is treated as god and even the enemies and invaders were treated fairly. India has a history of numerous foreign travellers and writers who visited the country and loved it, their accounts and memoirs are filled with lively and beautiful description of its people and land. From Megesthenes to Fa –Hien and Hiun-Tsang, from Ibne Batuta to Vasco de Gama and Thomas Roe the list is long, India welcomed all.

But what happened to India now why it is forgetting its welcoming spirit and friendly nature. India’s not-so-friendly attitude towards foreign tourists, varies in different regions. While the southern and western parts of the country rank favourably, north India is unanimously the most prejudiced culturally. During the past few years India is no longer remain a safe destination for foreign tourists especially women. Cheating, harassment, teasing even rape and murders of foreigners are become common here and have increased dramatically in the last 5 years, the result of which can be seen in a huge drop of tourists arrivals in India.

Tourism plays an important role as a foreign exchange earner for the country. In 2010, foreign exchange earnings (FEE) from tourism were US$ 14.19 billion as compared to US$ 11.39 billion in 2009, registering a growth of 24.6%., and it is the responsibility of the government of India as well as the people to make India a better and safe destination for tourists to enjoy here safe and happy holidays, which in turn help India to grow well and improve its economy. However, according to news report, the Tourism Minister believes that India can still achieve its goal of a 12% increase in foreign tourist inflow for the year. The reality is still doubtful, because safety of tourists needs a considerable attention. If we are serious to promote our ‘incredible India’ campaign, then we have to give a serious thought to this problem , those who are responsible for denting India’s; image such people should be identified, the ITDC( India tourism development corporation) offices which are present in almost all tourist places have to assume more roles and responsibilities to handle tourists, since the tourist connect easily to ITDC offices than police stations, arrangements for registering complaints of tourists should be made at these ITDC offices Awareness among the masses is needed and those who work for tourism and hospitality sector must act in a way that tourists enjoy a pleasant stay and they must carry a beautiful and friendly image of India. Most importantly all Indians must join hands together to make India truly incredible.

But as the crime rate is increasing day by day, the crime against foreigners is also increasing. The statistics data provided by the National Crime Bureau Report 2014,  A total of 76,79,099 foreigners (including 33,99,272 foreigners on tourist visa) visited India during 2014 as compared to 69,67,601 in 2013, showing an increase of 10.21%. The Bureau has started collecting data on crimes committed on foreigners including foreign tourists since 2014 under the revised performance of ‘Crime in India’.

A total of 486 cases of crimes against foreigners were reported in the country of which 384 cases were under crime against foreign tourists during 2014, constituting 79.0% of total crime against foreigners. Among 486 cases of crime against foreigner, majority of cases were reported in Delhi (164 cases) followed by Goa (73 cases), Uttar Pradesh (66 cases), Maharashtra (59 cases), Rajasthan (36 cases) Karnataka (14 cases) and Bihar (13 cases), these eight States together accounted for 87.4% of total such cases reported in the country (425 out of 486 cases).

RANKING OF STATE	NUMBER OF CASES AGAINST FOREIGNERS.	STATE NAME
1	135	Delhi
2	66	Goa
3	64	Uttar Pradesh
4	31	Rajasthan
5	25	Maharashtra
6 7	13 11	Bihar Karnataka

 

Among 486 cases of crime against foreigners, maximum cases were reported under thefts accounting for 53.5% (260 cases) followed by assault on foreign woman with intent to outrage her modesty (39 cases), rape, robbery & cheating (22 cases each) and forgery (21 cases) during 2014. A total of 45 cases and 34 cases were of unclassified category ‘other IPC and other SLL crimes’ respectively. Under crime against foreign tourists, more than half of total cases were reported under theft (223 cases) which accounted for 58.1% followed by assault on foreign tourists women with intent to outrage her modesty (33 cases), robbery (21 cases) and rape & cheating (17 cases each). A total of 28 cases and 26 cases were of unclassified category other IPC and other SLL crimes respectively.

Out of 223 theft cases, maximum theft cases under crime against foreign tourists were reported in Delhi (97 cases) which accounted for 43.5% of total such crimes reported in the country followed by Goa (36 cases) and Uttar Pradesh (29 cases) during 2014. Maximum cases of assault on foreign tourists (women) with intent to outrage their modesty were reported in Delhi (9 cases) followed by Uttar Pradesh (6 case) and Kerala & Goa (4 cases each), these five States together accounted for 69.7% of total such cases reported in the country during 2014. Out of 17 rape cases against foreign tourists in the country, 6 cases in Delhi, 3  cases in Karnataka, 2 each cases Goa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were reported during 2014.  4 cases of murder and 3 cases of insult to modesty of women under crime against foreign tourists were also reported during 2014. 3 each cases of forgery in respect of foreign tourists were reported in Rajasthan and Delhi during 2014. Out of 21 cases of robbery of foreign tourist, 8 cases and 4 cases of robbery were reported in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively during 2014.

Therefore it is a shocking news for us, the Indians that the crime rate increase has destroyed our values and principles which made India famous all over the Universe.

 

SOURCE: National Crime Records Bureau 

 

 

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Disclaimer:

This Article was prepared or accomplished by Gunjan Bhagchandani in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the LawOF.in

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