According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022, Delhi reported the highest rate of FIRs related to crimes against women, with 14,247 cases and a rate of 144.4 per lakh, significantly surpassing the national average of 66.4. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh collectively accounted for 50 percent of the total cases in the country. Twelve states and union territories, including Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, recorded crime rates higher than the national average.
India registered 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women in 2022, translating to an alarming rate of 51 FIRs per hour. The majority of offenses under the Indian Penal Code were related to cruelty by the husband or his relatives (31.4 percent), followed by kidnapping and abduction of women (19.2 percent), assault with intent to outrage modesty (18.7 percent), and rape (7.1 percent).
The NCRB highlighted that the increase in the rate of FIRs doesn’t necessarily indicate a rise in actual crimes but may signify more people coming forward to report incidents. The bureau also noted that certain citizen-centric police initiatives, such as the launch of e-FIR facilities or women helpdesks, could contribute to changes in crime reporting numbers. The NCRB emphasized the need for a professional investigation into underlying factors to address local community issues effectively.
