The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) unveiled its yearly Crime Report and the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) Report on late Friday. The Crime Report yet again paints a poignant picture for the women.
The comprehensive overview of the crime landscape in India for 2022 encompasses data on sudden deaths, suicides, and crimes targeting women and children, among others.
According to information derived from the NCRB report, the overall crime rate witnessed a slight decline, moving from 7% in 2021 to 6.9% in 2022.
However, specific categories, such as crimes against women and children and cybercrimes, increased compared to the figures reported in 2021.
Crime Against Women
The 2022 report revealed a concerning uptick in crimes against women, with a total of 4,45,256 cases registered—an increase of 4% from the 4,28,278 cases documented in 2021.
Notably, the majority of these cases were attributed to cruelty by spouses or their relatives, accounting for 31.4% of the total incidents. Following closely were cases of kidnapping and abduction at 19.2%, assault “with Intent to outrage modesty” at 18.7%, and incidents of rape at 7.1%.
Rajasthan topped the list with the highest number of reported rape cases in 2022, recording 5,399 out of the total 31,516 cases. Uttar Pradesh followed with 3,690 cases, Madhya Pradesh with 3,029, Maharashtra with 2,904, and Haryana with 1,787 reported cases. Delhi reported 1,212 rape cases in the same period. The report also highlighted the crime rate per lakh women, increasing from 64.5 in 2021 to 66.4 in 2022.
Uttar Pradesh took the lead with the highest number of registered cases of crimes against women under IPC and Special and Local Laws (SLL), totalling 65,743 cases. Maharashtra closely followed with 45,331 cases, and Rajasthan reported 45,058 cases. Each of these states exhibited varying chargesheet rates.
Furthermore, worrisome patterns emerged in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Delhi documented 14,158 cases of crimes against women, indicating a significant challenge in ensuring the safety of women within the city. Mumbai reported 6,176 cases, with chargesheet rate of 80.6%, signifying a proactive response from law enforcement. Similarly, Bengaluru recorded 3,924 cases with a 74.2% chargesheet rate.
The country recorded 13,479 cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act, shedding light on dowry-related offences. A substantial number of cases, exceeding 1,40,000, were categorised under ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.
The data revealed a staggering 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women in 2022, equating to an alarming rate of 51 FIRs (First Information Reports) per hour, again, a significant surge from the previous year, as 2021 documented 4,28,278 cases and 3,71,503 cases in 2020.
The “Crime in India 2022” report draws data from 28 states, 8 Union territories, and various central agencies.
What are the other highlights from NCRB’s Crime Report?
The NCRB’s Crime in India 2022 Report presents several vital highlights.
Overall Crime Statistics
The NCRB’s Crime in India 2022 Report discloses that over 58,00,000 cognisable crimes were registered, encompassing the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) offences. Notably, there was a discernible 4.5% decline in the registration of cases compared to the figures reported in 2021.
Crime Rate in India
The Crime in India 2022 Report highlights a significant decline in the crime rate, with figures revealing a drop from 445.9 per lakh population in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022. This decline holds particular significance as it serves as a more reliable indicator, factoring in the impact of population growth on absolute crime numbers.
Safe Cities
Kolkata has once again claimed the title of the safest city in India for the third consecutive year, as revealed by the Crime in India 2022 Report. Notably, among metropolises, Kolkata recorded the lowest number of cognisable offences per lakh population. Following closely, Pune in Maharashtra secured the second position, and Hyderabad in Telangana claimed the third spot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the statistics presented in the NCRB’s Crime in India 2022 Report paint a distressing picture of the prevailing challenges in ensuring the safety and security of women across the country. On a broader scale, the decline in overall crime statistics and crime rate is noteworthy. Still, it should not overshadow the specific challenges women face.
In light of these findings, society, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies must collaborate actively to create a safer space for women. This involves not only addressing the immediate concerns highlighted by the report but also addressing the underlying societal norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.
Prosperity begins when women attain safety and security. As a society, We must address the root causes, challenge superstitious norms, and empower women to ensure their well-being. Only through concerted efforts can we pave the way for true prosperity, where every woman can live free from fear and violence.
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