Murders Decline but Still a Concern
The report revealed that 27,721 murder cases were registered in 2023, down 2.8% from 28,522 in 2022. Disputes accounted for the highest number of murders (9,209 cases), followed by personal vendetta or enmity (3,458 cases) and gain-related motives (1,890 cases). While the decline is a positive sign, the NCRB cautioned that the murder rate remains high in several states.
One of the most alarming findings is the 28.8% spike in crimes against Scheduled Tribes. Cases rose from 10,064 in 2022 to 12,960 in 2023. The crime rate in this category jumped from 9.6 to 12.4 per lakh population. Experts suggest that increased awareness and improved reporting mechanisms may have contributed to the higher numbers, but the data also reflects the continued vulnerability of tribal communities.
Cybercrimes See Dramatic Growth
Cybercrime emerged as another major challenge, with cases soaring by 31.2%. A total of 86,420 cases were recorded in 2023, compared to 65,893 in 2022. Nearly 69% of these cases involved online fraud, while other categories included sexual exploitation (4.9%) and extortion (3.8%). The cybercrime rate went up from 4.8% in 2022 to 6.2% in 2023, highlighting the increasing threat posed by digital fraudsters.
Crimes Against Women Show Marginal Increase
Crimes against women saw a slight rise of 0.4%, with 4.48 lakh cases registered in 2023 compared to 4.45 lakh in 2022. The majority of cases were related to cruelty by husband or relatives (1.33 lakh cases, 29.8%), kidnapping and abduction (88,605 cases, 19.8%), and assault with intent to outrage modesty (83,891 cases, 18.7%). The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act accounted for 66,232 cases.
Overall Crime Rate Sees Increase
Across India, 62,41,569 cognisable crimes were reported in 2023, reflecting a 7.2% increase over 2022. Of these, 37.6 lakh were registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while 24.7 lakh fell under Special and Local Laws (SLL). The overall crime rate per lakh population rose from 422.2 in 2022 to 448.3 in 2023.
Metropolitan Cities Report More Cases
The 19 metropolitan cities accounted for 9.44 lakh cases, up 10.6% from 2022. Theft remained the most common crime, forming nearly 45% of all reported cases. Rash driving and obstruction on public roads were also major issues, reflecting urban challenges in policing and safety.
Decline in Fire Accidents and Suicides
On a positive note, NCRB reported a significant decline in fire accidents and related fatalities in 2023. However, suicide data continued to highlight socio-economic pressures, with a large share of cases involving daily wage earners and farmers. Experts believe these figures call for urgent policy interventions.
The NCRB report offers a nuanced view of India’s crime landscape. While murders and fire accidents are declining, the sharp rise in cybercrime and crimes against Scheduled Tribes raises concerns about the evolving nature of crime and the state’s preparedness to tackle them.