Impactful 'Pink Booths' Reduce Crime Rate in Ghaziabad

The introduction of 20 'Pink Booths' and 'Pink mobile vehicles' in Ghaziabad has led to a significant reduction in crime rates, according to Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra. Initiated two years ago, the program has shown a notable decrease in various crimes, including dowry deaths, women's harassment, rape, and kidnapping.

The recent introduction of 20 'Pink Booths' and an equal number of 'Pink mobile vehicles' has facilitated a notable decline in the crime rate in Ghaziabad, as confirmed by Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar Mishra on Tuesday.

Launched two years ago, this initiative has radically influenced crime statistics in the region, Mishra told PTI. Each 'Pink Booth' is manned by female officers to ensure victims feel comfortable reporting issues, he said.

Each booth operates with a team consisting of one female sub-inspector, four head constables, and additional constables, working in two shifts from 7 am to 10 pm, Mishra added.

Following the launch, a 36 per cent drop in crimes such as dowry deaths under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was observed. Additionally, women's harassment and dowry-related complaints under Sections 498A of IPC and the Dowry Prohibition Act fell by up to 30 per cent.

There has also been a substantive decrease in rape and kidnapping cases, with incidents of rape reducing by 24.5 per cent and kidnappings by 16.55 per cent. Out of 2,666 reported cases, 622 have been successfully curtailed since the inception, Mishra said.

The 'Pink Booth' initiative was launched in 2022 by former Ghaziabad Lok Sabha MP V K Singh, who also inaugurated the 'Pink mobile vehicles'. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had previously established an 'Anti-Romeo Squad' for women's safety, which also proved highly effective, Mishra noted.

(With inputs from agencies.)