The latest NCRB Report for 2022 has unveiled interesting facts about crime rates in India. Even though the overall crime rate per lakh population has decreased, there is a notable 24.4% increase in cybercrime. Additionally, crimes against women and children have seen a surge, challenging the perception of declining crime. The report categorises data on various crimes, including those against women, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), and cybercrimes. While the general crime rate might show a decrease, specific types of crimes are showing an upward trend, raising concerns about a return to pre-COVID violence levels.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NCRB REPORT
Overall crimes: The report registered a total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes, including 35,61,379 IPC crimes and 22,63,567 Special and Local Laws (SLL) crimes.
Crime rate: A decline in crime rate from 445.9 in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022 per lakh population. Crimes against women: There were 4,45,256 cases, marking a 4% increase from 2021.
Cybercrimes: A significant increase from 52,974 in 2021 to 65,893 in 2022.
Suicides: In 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed a concerning rise in suicides, reaching 1,70,924 compared to 1,64,033 in 2021.
Accidental: It saw an increase, going to 4,30,504 in 2022 from 3,97,530 in 2021.
Sudden deaths: In 2022, there was an 11.6% increase in the number of unexpected deaths all over the country, as stated in the ADSI (Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India) report.
Crime against children: As many as 1,62,449 crimes against children were registered during 2022, showing an increase of 8.7% (1,49,404 cases) compared to 2021.
Murder: In 2022, India saw a total of 28,522 murder cases, averaging 78 killings daily or more than three every hour. This 2022 figure marked a decrease from 2021, when 29,272 murder cases were recorded).
Crimes under IPC: Last year in 2022, 58,24,946 crimes were reported, including 35,61,379 under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 22,63,567 under Special & Local Laws (SLL). This reflects a 4.5% decrease from 2021, with the crime rate per lakh population dropping from 445.9 to 422.2.
Crimes against Senior Citizens: In 2022, crimes against senior citizens (aged 60 and above) increased by 9%, with a total of 28,545 cases reported. This marks a 9.3% rise from the 2021 figures, indicating a concerning trend of harm towards older people.
Crimes against SC and ST: Crimes against SCs witnessed a 13.1% increase, with 57,582 cases reported in 2022.Economic offences: Economic offences significantly increased, with 1,93,385 cases registered in 2022—an 11.1% increase from the previous year.
CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA
Delhi registered the highest rate of crime against women in the country at 144.4, way above India’s average rate of 66.4. The latest crime report highlights a concerning rise in crimes against women in 2022, with 4,45,256 registered cases, showing a 4% uptick from the previous year.The majority of these cases involve cruelty by spouses or relatives (31.4%), followed by kidnapping and abduction (19.2%), assault “with intent to outrage modesty” (18.7%), and rape (7.1%).
Notably, Rajasthan reported the highest number of rape cases (5,399 out of 31,516), followed by Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana. In 2022, Delhi reported 1,212 rape cases. The crime rate, measured per lakh women population, increased slightly from 64.5 in 2021 to 66.4 in 2022, emphasizing the need for focused efforts to address and combat crimes against women.
Previously, the crime rate against women (number of incidents per 1 lakh population) increased from 56.5% in 2020 to 64.5% in 2021.
OVER 294 KIDNAPPING CASES DAILY IN 2022
More than 1 lakh kidnapping and abduction cases were registered across India in 2022, an average of over 294 daily or more than 12 every hour, with the maximum FIRs being lodged in Uttar, according to the NCRB. In 2022, the average rate of crime per lakh population for the country was 7.8, while charge sheeting in such offences stood at 36.4, according to the report.
As many as 1,07,588 kidnapping and abduction cases were reported in the country in 2022 while the figure last year was 1,01,707 and 84,805 in 2020, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, said in its annual crime report.
In 2022, the NCRB reported 1,10,140 kidnappings or abductions, with 76,069 children and 34,071 adults. Of these, 1,17,083 individuals were rescued, with 974 found dead. Delhi filed 5,641 FIRs, recording the highest crime rate (26.7 per lakh population) nationally. Uttar Pradesh reported 16,262 cases with better rates (6.9 crime, 43.7 charge sheeting). Maharashtra logged 12,260 cases, Bihar 11,822, Madhya Pradesh 10,409, and West Bengal 8,088. Crime rates varied, with charge sheeting rates ranging from 20.9 to 69.4. Despite high cases, Delhi faced the worst charge sheeting rate. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal reported increasing cases from 2020 to 2022.
Kolkata ‘safest city’ with least crime rates
Kolkata has again topped the list of cities with the least number of cognisable offences per lakh population, making the metropolis the safest city of India in 2022, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. As per the latest NCRB data based on cases recorded and shared by the state government to the Centre, Kolkata reported 86.5 cases of cognisable offences per lakh people, followed by Pune (Maharashtra) at 280.7 and Hyderabad (Telangana) at 299.2.
ODISHA REPORTS HIGHEST CASES OF CYBERCRIME AGAINST WOMEN
Odisha witnessed 542 cases of cybercrime against women in 2022, which is the highest in India, according to the latest report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Of the 542 cases, 269 were recorded for publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material and the remaining 273 were registered under other cybercrimes, including blackmailing, defamation, morphing and fake profiles, the report said. Odisha also reported the second-highest cases of publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material in the country, while Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 450 cyber pornography crimes against 455 women. Similarly, a total of 273 cases from Odisha were victims of cyber morphing, the highest among the states, and Uttarakhand ranked second with 75 such cases and Tamil Nadu third with 24.
The NCRB Report reveals a complex crime scenario in India. While certain crimes have decreased, a notable 24.4% surge in cybercrimes raises concerns about online safety. Strengthening IT laws is crucial. Crimes against women and children persist despite legal amendments, requiring focused attention. Support services, safe shelters, and accessible legal aid can address these issues. Technology, like panic buttons and enhanced surveillance, can create safer environments. The report guides enforcement agencies on areas needing improvement without compromising attention to declining crimes. A comprehensive approach is vital for a safer society.