Crimes against women: NCRB report lists Delhi highest among 19 metropolitan cities in 2024

The NCRB’s Crime in India 2024 report says Delhi recorded the highest crimes against women among 19 metropolitan cities, with 13,396 cases in 2024. The capital also led in reported rape cases at 1,058, and topped categories such as sexual harassment, kidnapping, and dowry deaths, according to official crime data.

Delhi again recorded the highest number of crimes against women among 19 metropolitan cities, the NCRB said. The National Crime Records Bureau report, Crime in India 2024, was released on Wednesday. It showed 13,396 cases registered in 2024 in the national capital. Delhi also led several linked categories, including rape, kidnapping, and dowry deaths.

According to the report, the total cases registered under IPC and BNS in Delhi stood at 11,795. Mumbai ranked second with 4,972 cases, which was under half of Delhi’s count. The report also placed Delhi fourth on crime rate in 2024. Jaipur, Indore and Lucknow were higher on this rate measure.

NCRB report: Delhi tops rape cases and murder with rape

Rape complaints in Delhi reached 1,058 in 2024, the highest among the 19 cities. The report also listed six cases under murder with rape or gang rape. During the year, public anger followed a case in Kailash Hills. Police alleged a former house help raped and murdered a 22-year-old IIT graduate there.

NCRB report: Sexual harassment and disrobing cases in Delhi

Delhi recorded 316 cases of sexual harassment in 2024, the report said. Mumbai followed with 286 cases, while Bengaluru reported 180. The capital also led the category of assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe. It recorded 279 such cases, the highest among all 19 metropolitan cities.

NCRB report: Dowry deaths and cruelty cases in Delhi

Dowry deaths remained a serious issue in Delhi, with 109 cases reported in 2024. The city also registered 4,647 cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives. This count was far ahead of the next city, Lucknow, which reported 1,446 cases. The gap was close to three times, the data showed.

NCRB report: Kidnapping and POCSO cases in Delhi

Kidnapping and abduction of women added to concern in Delhi, with 3,974 cases recorded in 2024. Under special and local laws, Delhi also reported the highest POCSO cases for girl child victims. The report counted 1,489 such cases. These figures contributed to Delhi’s overall lead in the category.

The NCRB said Delhi’s crime rate against women stood at 176.8 in 2024. The report defined the rate as crimes against women per one lakh population. Even with the highest case count, Delhi ranked fourth on this rate among the 19 cities. Jaipur, Indore and Lucknow recorded higher rates in 2024.

With inputs from PTI