157% rise in rapes from 2011-2013, in Muzzafaranagar: NCRB

August 19, 2014

Meerut, Aug 19: Muzaffarnagar has witnessed a 157% rise in rape cases in two years - from 19 cases in 2011 to 49 in 2013 - says data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). 27 rapes were reported from the area in 2012. Data further suggests that the figures rose rapidly following the riots in the area in September 2013.

"The fact is that more and more cases are now being registered by the police," said Alok Priyadarshi, SP (rural), adding that cops are being more sensitive in dealing with crimes against women, taking note of the Supreme Court's guidelines in the matter.

"A large number of fake cases are also being registered, as a way to resolve family conflicts, longstanding rivalries or affairs gone wrong," the SP also said.

A total of 344 cases of rapes, dowry deaths and domestic violence were filed in 2013, as compared to 247 in 2011 and 268 in 2012.

The rising figures, however, has created a sense of insecurity among women who work in the fields or use public transport to commute during late hours. Sexual harassment is a daily occurrence that goes unnoticed, allege many of them.

"Being stared at or touched inappropriately while travelling is a routine affair, When approached, the cops discourage us from registering a case saying we have to keep going to the police station and court for a long time," said Sapna Tomar, a regular rail commuter.

"There are not enough policemen here to ensure our safety. We feel insecure all the time. Who do we turn to for help, if under attack?" said a college student.

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‘Pay the worker before his sweat dries’: Madras High Court cites Prophet Muhammad’s teaching while ordering settlement of dues

News Network

December 21,2025

Invoking the teachings of Prophet Muhammad—“pay the worker before his sweat dries”—the Madras High Court has directed a municipal corporation to settle long-pending legal dues owed to a former counsel. The court observed that this principle reflects basic fairness and applies equally to labour and service-related disputes.

Justice G. R. Swaminathan made the observation while hearing a petition filed by advocate P. Thirumalai, who claimed that the Madurai City Municipal Corporation failed to pay him legal fees amounting to ₹13.05 lakh. Earlier, the High Court had asked the corporation to consider his representation. However, a later order rejected a major portion of his claim, prompting the present petition.

The court allowed Thirumalai to approach the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and submit a list of cases in which he had appeared. It also directed the corporation to settle the verified fee bills within two months, without interest. The court noted that the petitioner had waited nearly 18 years before challenging the non-payment and that the corporation could not be fully blamed, as the fee bills were not submitted properly.

‘A Matter of Embarrassment’

Justice Swaminathan described it as a “matter of embarrassment” that the State has nearly a dozen Additional Advocate Generals. He observed that appointing too many law officers often leads to unnecessary allocation of work and frequent adjournments, as government counsel claim that senior officers are engaged elsewhere.

He expressed hope that such practices would end at least in the Madurai Bench of the High Court and added that Additional Advocate Generals should “turn a new leaf” from 2026 onwards.

‘Scandalously High Amounts’

While stating that the court cannot examine the exact fees paid to senior counsel or law officers, Justice Swaminathan stressed that good governance requires public funds to be used prudently. He expressed concern over the “scandalously high amounts” paid by government and quasi-government bodies to a few favoured law officers.

In contrast, the court noted that Thirumalai’s total claim was “a pittance” considering the large number of cases he had handled.

Background

Thirumalai served as the standing counsel for the Madurai City Municipal Corporation for more than 14 years, from 1992 to 2006. During this period, he represented the corporation in about 818 cases before the Madurai District Courts.

As the former counsel was unable to hire a clerk to obtain certified copies of judgments in all 818 cases, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority to collect the certified copies within two months. The court further ordered the corporation to bear the cost incurred by the DLSA and deduct that amount from the final settlement payable to the petitioner.

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