New Delhi- Delhi secures a hat-trick as the crime capital of the country, maintaining its unfortunate lead for the third consecutive year. Despite various government measures to curb atrocities against women, crime rates have surged, particularly against women and the elderly, posing serious concerns for the city's safety.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) disclosed alarming statistics on Sunday, December 3, indicating a continuous rise in crime against women. In 2021, the country recorded 428,278 cases, escalating to 445,256 in 2022. Delhi, in particular, witnessed an increase in rape cases, with an average of three cases daily compared to two in the previous year. Disturbingly, 31.20 percent of all crimes in the capital are against women, encompassing rape and domestic violence cases.

Delhi Police's monthly crime statistic updates, which were a regular practice until July 2022, have been halted, making it challenging to access real-time crime data. Consequently, the public is reliant on the NCRB's 2022 data, revealing that nearly 190 out of every one lakh women in Delhi become victims of crime.

The data further exposes the vulnerability of women, with 4,847 incidents of cruelty by husbands or relatives reported. The city stands out as the most unsafe metropolis for women, with an average of three rape cases reported daily.

Moreover, the NCRB's annual report highlights an increase in crimes against children, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and cybercrimes. Crimes against SCs rose by 13.1 percent, totaling 57,582 cases, while crimes against STs increased by 14.3 percent, reaching 10,064 cases. Rape and assault on women with the intent to outrage their modesty saw increases of 13.4 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively.

Notably, crimes against women have surged across the country, with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh recording high numbers. Twelve states and union territories have crime rates surpassing the national average of 66.4, with Delhi topping the list at 144.4.

The number of FIRs in Delhi for crimes against women was 14,277 in 2021 and 10,093 in 2020. In 2022, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of FIRs at 65,743, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. These five states accounted for 50 percent of all cases reported in the country.

The city also witnessed an increase in average crime, with 7,400 incidents against children, 22 murders, and a rise in crimes against senior citizens. Cybercrime cases doubled from 345 in 2021 to 685 in 2022, and 501 murder incidents were recorded, along with 106 cases of human trafficking.

The report emphasizes concerns about crimes against children, noting a 3 percent increase in the crime rate per lakh child population compared to 2021.

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