Mantralaya Times mumbai. Maharashtra reported the third highest number of cases of crimes against women in the country in 2015. At 31,126 cases, the state follows Uttar Pradesh, which tops the list with 35,527 cases, and West Bengal at 33,218 cases, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) ‘Crime in India 2015’ report released by the Union Home Ministry on Tuesday.The data shows that Maharashtra reported the second highest number of rape cases registered in the country, following Madhya Pradesh. Ofthe 4,144 cases, 974 were of rape under the pretext of marriage.The next category was found to be of offenders who are neighbours of the victims — in 729 cases — followed by relatives in nearly 262 cases. This is followed by offenders who are live-in partners/husbands of the victim, employer/ co-workers and close familymembers. In only 29 cases, the offender was not known to the victim.A senior officer said that Maharashtra is normally among the top few states in most crimes because of its high population.“A higher number of cases is also an indicator of the fact that most offencesare being registered, with complainants approaching police stations. Especially since the Shakti Mill gangrape case of 2013, there havebeen clear instructions to police stations to take crime against women seriously and register an FIR every time there is such an allegation. Hence, ever since 2013, Maharashtra has featured among the top three states when it comes to crime against women. Also, there has been greater awareness among victims, who come forth and report cases of sexual harassment,” the officer said.Several officers at the police station level said that while a large number of cases of sexual intercourse on the pretext of marriage are reported, it is difficult to prove them in a court of law. “We have to prove that the accused person had promised marriage, which is not always possible.Also, in several of these cases, by the time the case goes to trial, the two sides reach a compromise and the complainant is no longer interested in pursuing the case,” an officer said.Mumbai: NCRB data shows that of the4,144 rape cases registered in the state, 974 were of rape under the pretext of marriage.The next category was found to be of offenders who are neighbours of the victims — in 729 cases — followed by relatives in nearly 262 cases. In only 29 cases, the offender was not known to the victim.The third highest number of murders, 2,509, took place in Maharsahtra, afterUttar Pradesh (4,732) and Bihar 3,178. Maharashtra also reported the highest number of cognisable crimes at 2,75,414, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 2,68,614 and Kerala 2,57,074.A cognisable offence means a police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant and to start probe even without the permission of a court.