The effort comes close on the heels of the police finding that eight of the 14 accused in the Jhagadia gangrape case were involved in another gangrape just two weeks earlier.

Other than the village-level approach, Bharuch police chief S M Khatri has also broadcast messages to this effect to the populace through the local television channels.

"It is the medical evidence that suffers when rape cases are registered late, which weakens the case. Also, the police can act and make arrests or official inquires only after the victim's complaint," Khatri said in his televised message.

He said the police were now trying to address the more difficult issue of convincing victims or their families to come forward with details of the cases. He said on most occasions the victim refused to come forward fearing societal backlash and dishonour. "We have been trying to explain to the populace that the crime is heinous and that a complaint can prevent further offences. Also we explain to them that rape cases are not publicised as directed by the Supreme Court judgments," said Khatri. He said the victims in the Jhagadia cases were offered on camera trials and were not required to be present in the court premises before the public.

Khatri said another important issue that the police elaborated on was what constituted a rape and when a rape complaint could be registered. He said, "The police have been telling the public, particularly women, that a rape can be registered whether the victim is in or not in a relationship with the offender.”