Air Hostess Assaulted While On Ventilator In Gurugram: 2024-2025 Data Comparison Shows Shocking Rise In Sexual Violence Cases

The shocking case of an air hostess allegedly being sexually assaulted while on ventilator support in the ICU of a private hospital in Gurugram has once again ignited outrage over the persistently high rates of sexual violence in India, despite repeated promises of strict action.

According to the police, the incident occurred on April 6, 2025, but only came to light a week later, on April 13, when the 46-year-old survivor informed her husband after being discharged from the hospital. Following her complaint, a case was registered at Sadar Police Station, and an investigation is currently underway.

This deeply disturbing incident highlights the broader and growing concern of sexual crimes against women. To understand whether the situation has improved or worsened, we analysed data on reported sexual assault cases from January to April 2024 with those from the same period in 2025. The comparison also sheds light on the outcomes and verdicts delivered in these cases, offering insight into the justice system's response over the past year.

It’s nearly impossible to list every single case of sexual assault that occurred during this time, given how widespread and underreported such crimes often are. Instead, we’ve chosen to highlight some of the most shocking and deeply disturbing incidents during this time period.

Sexual Assault Cases Against Women From January To April 2024

Here are eight notable sexual assault cases reported in India between January and April 2024:

1. Sandeshkhali, West Bengal (January 2024): Multiple women from Sandeshkhali alleged systemic sexual abuse by local Trinamool Congress leaders, including Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates. The allegations surfaced amid a broader investigation into corruption and land acquisition issues in the region.

2. IIT-BHU, Varanasi (January 2024): A student at the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) was allegedly raped by three individuals. The incident led to widespread protests and demands for justice from political parties and student organisations.

3. Haryana (April 2024): A woman inmate alleged that she was raped by two male prisoners inside a police van while being transported for a medical check-up. The Haryana Human Rights Commission took cognisance of the incident and issued notices to senior police officials.

4. Koppal, Karnataka (March 2025): An Israeli woman and her Indian host were allegedly gang-raped while stargazing in Koppal district. The assailants attacked the group, leading to the drowning of one individual and the sexual assault of the two women. 

5. Delhi (May 2024): Swati Maliwal, the then-chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that she was assaulted by a close aide of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. The incident led to an FIR and subsequent investigations. 

6. Jharkhand (March 2024): A foreign female vlogger was allegedly gang-raped during a motorcycle trip in Jharkhand. Eight men were arrested in connection with the incident, which garnered international media coverage.

7. Haryana (February 2024): A woman serving a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking alleged that she was raped by two male inmates inside a police van during transportation for a medical check-up. The Haryana Human Rights Commission issued notices to the state's DGP and prison authorities.

8. Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh (January 2024): An 18-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly pushed into a cauldron of scalding hot oil by her employer and two others after she protested sexual harassment. She was transferred to a hospital in New Delhi due to severe injuries. Three suspects were arrested, and charges under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked.

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Sexual Assault Cases Against Women From January To April 2025

Between January and April 2025, India witnessed several significant cases of sexual assault against women. Here are eight notable incidents from that period:

1. Varanasi Gang Rape (March–April 2025): A 19-year-old woman was allegedly raped by 23 men over six days. The victim, a class 12 student, was reportedly drugged and assaulted at multiple locations in Varanasi. Six individuals have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing to identify the remaining accused.

2. Kerala Mass Sexual Assault Case (January 2025): A Dalit athlete in Kerala was reportedly abused by 62 individuals over the last five years. The case came to light when the victim, now 18, described the ordeal she endured since the age of 13. As of January 20, 2025, 57 of the 59 accused had been arrested, with two individuals currently abroad.

3. Jharkhand Sexual Assault Protest (February 2025): A 16-year-old girl student was allegedly sexually assaulted in Palamu district. The incident led to massive protests in Pipra and Hariharganj police station areas. The victim was sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital for a check-up, and the police launched a hunt to apprehend the perpetrator.

4. Kottayam Nursing College Ragging Incident (February 2025): A junior student at the Government College of Nursing in Kottayam was allegedly assaulted by senior students. The incident involved the victim being tied to a bed, made cuts all over his body, and then assaulted. Five students were arrested, and the college administration formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter.

5. Kerala Live-in Partner's Sexual Assault Case (March 2025): A mother of two minor girls was taken into custody in Kochi after her daughters, aged 10 and 12, accused her live-in partner of sexually assaulting them. The mother was allegedly involved in the crime, and the police are continuing their investigation.

6. Spanish Diplomat's Sexual Assault Investigation (April 2025): A Spanish police commissioner, serving as the interior attaché at the Spanish embassy in India, was investigated for alleged sexual assault, harassment, and threats towards a subordinate. The incidents reportedly occurred from July 2024 and included physical and psychological harassment.

7. Goa Rape Case Verdict (February 2025): The trial of Vikat Bhagat, accused of raping and murdering Danielle McLaughlin in 2017, was set to conclude on February 17, 2025. The case faced numerous delays, and the victim's mother travelled from Ireland to attend the verdict, seeking closure.

8. Film Director's Arrest for Sexual Assault (March 2025): Film director Sanoj Mishra was arrested in Ghaziabad after a Delhi High Court rejected his bail. He faced charges of raping a 28-year-old aspiring actress over four years, allegedly luring her with film roles and marriage promises, forcing her into a live-in relationship, and making her undergo multiple abortions.

Were The Verdicts Reached In These Cases?

The sexual assault cases in India between January 2024 and April 2025 highlight several challenges that persist within the justice system, particularly when it comes to delivering verdicts. In cases like the Varanasi gang rape (2025), while arrests have been made, the trial is still ongoing, with no final decision yet. The same goes for the Kerala mass sexual assault (2025) and the Kottayam nursing college ragging incident (2025), where arrests have been made, but the legal process is dragging on without clear resolutions, demonstrating how slowly the system can work.

Some cases, like the Goa rape case (2025), where the perpetrator was sentenced to life in prison, do bring some closure to the victims and their families, but these instances remain the exception. The Spanish diplomat's sexual assault investigation (2025) further complicates matters, showing how cases involving foreign nationals or diplomats can be even more drawn-out, adding layers of bureaucracy and slow-moving procedures. The arrest of film director Sanoj Mishra (2025) for a long-running abuse case also highlights the power dynamics that can delay justice, even when there is clear evidence against the accused.

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These delays are more than just a matter of time as they reflect deeper systemic issues within the judicial system. Slow investigations, long court proceedings, and a lack of accountability often create an environment where victims struggle to see justice. As we’ve seen in many of these cases, the wheels of justice turn slowly, and when powerful figures are involved, it can take years before a verdict is reached, leaving survivors waiting and sometimes feeling like their voices aren’t being heard.

Rising Sexual Violence Against Women

Official data for sexual violence cases in 2024 and 2025 has not yet been released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), making it difficult to present a complete picture of the current situation. However, media reports and regional police records clearly indicate a continuing rise in cases, with cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore showing notable spikes in crimes against women. 

For instance, NCRB data from 2022 reported 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women across India, a 4% rise from 2021 averaging about 51 cases every hour. Delhi alone registered over 14,000 such cases in 2022, the highest in the country. 

Despite increasing awareness, helplines, and stricter laws, the violence continues suggesting that legal reforms alone are not enough. The question remains: when will it end? Perhaps only when women are no longer seen as targets but as equals, and when justice is swift, fair, and absolute. Until then, the fight for safety and respect will continue.

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