Nagpur: Violent crimes, particularly murder and attempted murder, have seen a steep rise. Murder cases have surged by 36.9%, from 65 in 2022 to 88 in 2024. The detection rate dropped slightly to 98% in 2024. More concerning is the 88.2% increase in attempted murders, from 102 in 2022 to 192 in 2024. The rise in body offenses underscores a troubling trend of escalating violence in the city.
Crimes against women see an alarming rise
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Tuesday 28 Jan. 2025
Crimes against women have also increased during this period. Rape cases rose from 250 in 2022 to 297 in 2024, with the police maintaining nearly a 100% detection rate. Molestation cases, however, showed a slight dip from 506 in 2023 to 499 in 2024. Despite this small decline, the overall figures remain high, stressing the need for enhanced protective measures and public awareness programs to ensure women’s safety.
Spike in vehicle thefts
Theft cases have shown fluctuating trends over the past three years. After a 40% jump from 2,503 cases in 2022 to 3,505 cases in 2023, thefts declined by 16% in 2024, with 2,944 cases reported. However, motor vehicle thefts have continued to rise consistently. From 1,553 cases in 2022, incidents increased by 11% to 1,809 in 2023 and further to 1,947 in 2024, marking a 13% rise. The high number of stolen vehicles indicates the growing activities of vehicle-lifters within city limits.
Robbery cases: A mixed trend
Robbery cases in Nagpur spiked in 2023, increasing by 40% from 167 in 2022 to 233 cases. However, in 2024, the numbers fell by 17% to 193 cases. Despite this decline, the detection rate dropped from 73% in 2022 to 69% in 2024, indicating a need for better crime-solving strategies by law enforcement agencies.
Preventive actions on the rise
Nagpur Police have ramped up preventive measures over the past three years. Preventive actions under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) increased from 33 in 2022 to 73 in 2023 before dropping to 60 in 2024. Similarly, Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) actions rose from 8 in 2022 to 19 in 2023 but fell to 14 in 2024.
However, overall preventive actions have shown a steady increase. Under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), actions under Section 107 (126 of BNSS) rose from 5,905 in 2022 to 9,327 in 2024. Likewise, actions under Section 110 (129 of BNSS), targeting habitual offenders, rose from 1,719 in 2022 to 2,283 in 2024. The total preventive actions jumped from 8,962 in 2022 to 12,960 in 2024. Sources attribute this rise to security measures taken during the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in 2024.
Other crimes
Several other crimes have also witnessed an upward trend. Cheating cases jumped from 500 in 2022 to 697 in 2024, indicating a rise in financial fraud. Rioting cases more than doubled, increasing from 76 in 2022 to 141 in 2024. Kidnapping incidents also saw a steady rise, climbing from 460 in 2022 to 535 in 2024.
Crackdown on jail-released goons
The increase in murders involving released criminals has prompted Nagpur Police to adopt a stricter monitoring strategy. Law enforcement officials have compiled data on approximately 1,400 criminals released on bail, including 135 individuals previously booked under MCOCA and 40 who served sentences under MPDA.
City police, under the directive of Commissioner Ravinder Singal, have intensified surveillance on these individuals to prevent gang wars and revenge killings. Recent murders, including those at Pardi and Sakkardara, have involved criminals who were either victims or perpetrators within days of their release. Notably, convicted murderer Dinesh Gaiki, out on parole, was involved in the killing of property dealer Amol Bahadure, while Amol Wanjari was murdered within a day of being released from jail.
The sharp rise in violent crimes, particularly murders, attempted murders, and vehicle thefts, paints a concerning picture of Nagpur’s law and order situation. While preventive actions by the police have increased, the growing crime rate indicates the need for stronger enforcement, better surveillance, and proactive policing to curb criminal activities and ensure public safety.
