One rape case every 18 minutes and nearly 50 crimes against women every hour. The latest NCRB report for 2024 presents a grim snapshot of women’s safety in India, despite a decline in the country’s overall cognizable crime figures last year.
According to the NCRB report, a total of 29,536 rape cases were recorded in 2024. Rajasthan reported the highest number of rape cases at 4,871, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 3,209 cases. Maharashtra registered 3,091 cases, Madhya Pradesh reported 3,061, while Haryana recorded 1,391 cases.
The report stated that 58,83,435 cognizable crimes were registered across the country in 2024. In comparison, 62,44,457 cases were recorded in 2023, indicating a decline of around 6 per cent in one year.
The national crime rate per one lakh population also dropped from 448.3 in 2023 to 418.9 in 2024. Murder cases saw a marginal fall of 2.4 per cent during the same period.
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Crimes against women remain alarming
A total of 4,41,534 cases related to crimes against women were registered in 2024. Although the number was slightly lower than the 4,48,211 cases recorded in 2023, the figures remain significant. The crime rate per lakh female population declined from 66.2 to 64.6.
The largest share of these complaints involved cruelty by husbands or in-laws. The NCRB recorded 1,20,227 such cases in 2024.
Kidnapping and abduction of women accounted for 67,829 cases, while 67,809 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
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The report also recorded 48,303 cases of assault with intent to outrage the modesty of women. Apart from rape cases, authorities registered 15,609 cases of sexual harassment, 9,241 cases linked to insulting the modesty of women, and 8,409 cases involving assault with intent to disrobe.
Economic and anti-state crimes rise
While overall crime numbers dipped, some categories saw an increase. Anti-state crimes rose by 6.6 percent, increasing from 4,873 cases in 2023 to 5,194 in 2024.
Economic offences also climbed by 4.6 percent, with registered cases rising from 2,04,000 to 2,14,000. Corruption-related cases, however, saw a slight decrease from 4,069 to 4,053.
The NCRB data suggests that although India witnessed a modest reduction in total crimes last year, crimes targeting women continue to remain a serious concern.
