Madhya Pradesh, which has the fifth highest population in the country, has again earned the dubious distinction of having the highest number of rape cases registered among all States last year.

The State accounted for 4,882 rape cases out of 38,947 cases recorded across the country in 2016, as per the National Crime Record Bureau's report, released on Thursday.

MP is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra with 4,816 and 4,189 rape cases registered, respectively, in 2016.

The State recorded 2,479 cases of rape of minor girls, followed by Maharashtra and UP with 2,310 and 2,115 such cases, respectively. In 2015 too Madhya Pradesh had recorded the highest number of rape cases (4,391) in the country.

Clarifying the matter, IG State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB) Mohd Shahid Absar told media persons on Thursday evening that the incidences of crime against women in MP have come down to 26,604 cases in 2016 from 28,756 in 2014, according to the NCRB figures.

Besides, the total number of criminal complaints registered in MP has declined to 2.64 lakh in 2016 from 2.72 lakh in 2014, he added.

"We have charge sheeted 90 per cent of accused in crimes against women in 2016. Of them, 3,888 have been convicted. This way, MP stands second in the country," he added.

State BJP spokesperson and Minister Vishwas Sarang said the report shows that in most cases, culprits were acquaintances of victims. "This is a social problem and all sections of society need to come forward to deal with it.

The state Government has resolved to deal sternly with such cases and to protect women," Sarang said.

The State Government has introduced a bill in the ongoing Assembly session which provides for capital punishment for the rape of girls who are below 12, he said. "This suggests that we are very serious about the issue," he added.