India's rape cases up by 23% in 2012

India's capital New Delhi has a population of round 17 million people. It has transformed itself into a world class city but it's one of the least safe places for women and is often titled as the rape capital of the country.

According to official figures released by New Delhi police, 706 rape cases were registered in 2012. That's shows a 23 percent rise from 572 reported cases in 2011.

The data comes weeks after a brutal gang rape of a 23 year-old medical student in a moving bus in December. Since that horrific incident, the issue of women safety has been on the spotlight across the country.