The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has announced the annual ‘Crime in India’ report for 2017. The freshly published report appears to continue the trend of its predecessor from the previous year, with slight modifications in terms of incorporating data related to cybercrimes and acts against the state. However, the latest report does not include data on killings by influential people, deaths as a result of mob lynching, murders due to religious motivations, or killings agreed upon by khap panchayats.
Increased Crime Registration and Rates
In comparison to 2016, crime registration cases increased by 3.6% in 2017. As per the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Delhi observed the highest crime rate nationwide with 1,050 incidents per lakh of the city’s population, which substantially surpasses the national average standing at 238.
Offences Committed Against the State
Notably, offences committed against the state saw a significant surge of 30% when compared to the incidents reported in 2016. This bracket incorporates crimes such as sedition, waging war against the country, and damaging public property, among others. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of such offences, with damage to public property being the primary inciting factor. Most of these offences were attributed to Left Wing Extremist operatives, followed by North East insurgents and terrorists.
Crimes Committed Against Women
There has been a 6% increase in crimes against women in 2017 compared to the previous year. ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ was the most reported case, followed by ‘Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty’. Uttar Pradesh reported the maximum such cases, trailed by Maharashtra and West Bengal.
Upward Trend in Cyber Crimes
In the sphere of cybercrimes, Bengaluru captured the notorious top spot among all metropolitan cities. Mumbai and Jaipur followed suit as the cities with the most registered cybercrime incidents.
| City | Number of Cyber Crimes Reported |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru | highest |
| Mumbai | second highest |
| Jaipur | third highest |
Riots and Turmoil
With a total of 58,880 reported riot incidents, communal and sectarian riots accounted for 723 and 183 occurrences respectively. Riots due to caste conflicts were noted at 805 while political reasons triggered 1,909 riots during the year. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra saw the maximum such incidents.
Crimes Against SC/STs
Crimes registered under the Scheduled Caste Prevention of Atrocities Act saw an upsurge from 5,082 incidents in 2016 to 5,775 in 2017. Conversely, crime incidents concerning Scheduled Tribes decreased slightly from 844 in 2016 to 720 in 2017.
About National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)
Established in 1986 in New Delhi under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NCRB serves as an information repository on crime and suspects in order to assist investigators in linking crimes to offenders. The establishment was formed on the recommendations of the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task Force (1985). Since 1953, the NCRB has been publishing the annual statistical report on crime across the country, aiding in understanding the law and order situation nationwide.