Uttar Pradesh Leads In Disposal Of Sexual Harassment Cases, But Critics Warn Of Under-Reporting And Rushed Justice

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has topped the national charts in the disposal and compliance of sexual harassment cases, according to the Government of India’s latest Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) report. With a disposal rate of 98.60% and the lowest pendency of women’s crime cases in India, the Yogi Adityanath government has declared this a triumph of its women’s safety model.

But critics argue that behind these impressive figures lie complex realities of systemic under-reporting, compromised investigations, and an atmosphere where survivors often face social and institutional pressure not to pursue justice.

The report covers the period from April 2018 to June 3, 2025, during which over 1.22 lakh FIRs were registered in UP under sexual offences. While the state now leads in disposal, it ranked 7th in 2018. Similarly, UP jumped from 10th to 3rd in compliance.

Padmaja Chauhan, Nodal Officer of the Women and Child Safety Organisation (WCSO), credited the administration’s strict monitoring, regular reviews, and punitive action against negligent officers for the progress. Monthly follow-ups, ASP-level supervision of POCSO cases, and departmental rewards or penalties are cited as reasons for UP’s apparent success.

Yet, some activists caution that the state’s heavy emphasis on statistical performance may incentivize cosmetic compliance over actual justice. “It’s easy to close cases fast especially when there’s pressure from the top to show numbers,” said a senior advocate familiar with women’s rights litigation in western UP. “What isn’t easy is creating an environment where women feel safe to report crimes in the first place.”

CM Yogi has directed officials to aim for “zero pendency,” but observers note that such targets often lead to rushed, and sometimes flawed, investigations. While the government touts its record, the reality for many survivors remains shaped by fear, stigma, and inaccessibility of legal support, issues which will not be solved just by celebrating numbers.