IJMSS Vol.03 Issue-04, (April, 2015) International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 3.25) ISSN: 2321-1784 Nature of various types of crimes against women Akhlaq Hussain Bhat PG Sociology, UGC Net, Presently working on women's issues in Women's Studies Centre University of Kashmir There has been an estimated 50 million 'missing girls' in India during the past century owing mainly to female infanticide and foeticide .1 Female infanticide is an old evil practice which was prevalent in different parts of India .It is practiced in those societies where women are considered inferior and a burden for the family. It was practiced in Arabia before the advent of Islam and was abolished by the prophet of Islam .In India this crime is still committed in many communities with impunity .The kallars of Tamil Nadu continue to practice female infanticide as a custom .A news item published in Nov. 2003, Times of India gave details of how some communities in Gujarat kill a new born baby girl by drowning her in a dish full of milk .This is known as "Doodh peeti" custom. It is really ironic that with all the progress we have made, crime against women has taken a worseturn, so that today a girl is killed even before she is born through amniocentesis! This is the glaring instance of misuse of science and technology. The provisional census of (2011) reveals that sex ratio of the population of 1-6 years has declined from 927 in 2001 to 914 (in 2011) per thousand which in turn has highlighted the wide spread practice of female foeticide. The main reasons for such a crime are dowry, considering girls as liabilities ,son preference as sons are considered assets and carry on the family name (pitra-rina) as per Hindu philosophy , increasing crime towards women , treating daughters as 'Praya Dhan' and male dominant Indian society . Domestic violence is most under reported among the crimes against women .Harri- Swarup in his book 'women and crisis'2. writes that in this world of unequal gender values , women suffer more crises then men .When the stress in relationship becomes unbearable the husband gets frustrated and resorts to violence. He gets sadistic satisfaction by humiliating his wife. The dowry system originated in the olden days mainly because a daughter did not have a share in her father's property according to Hindu Law .It has become a real evil practice in modern times . Consumerism has added fuel to fire. Today it is customary to demand a large amount of money , besides a car , a television, a refrigerator , jewellery and gifts for the entire family as dowry .If the demands of in-laws of girl are not met with , the girl is beaten and tortured and sometimes even a dowry death occurs . A Monthly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories International Journal in Management and Social Science http://www.ijmr.net.in email id- irjmss@gmail.com Page 613 ....