Significant drop in crime including rape cases in Delhi in 2020: Police

New Delhi: Delhi witnessed a significant decline in crime including rape cases, molestation and eve-teasing of women in 2020 as compared to 2019, according to data by Delhi Police.

2,05,324 IPC cases were registered in 2020, as against 3,01,085 in the previous year. Total Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes per lakh of the population were 1,259 during 2020 in comparison to 1,544 in 2019, the police said.

In 2020, there was a decline in cases pertaining to rape by 21.63 per cent (2,168 rape cases in 2019 and 1,699 rape cases in 2020). In about 98 per cent of rape cases, the accused were known to the victim. Strangers were involved in only about 2 per cent of cases.

The cases of molestation of women also dropped by 25.16 per cent (2,921 cases in 2019 and 2,186 cases in 2020) and eve-teasing by 12.32 per cent (495 cases in 2019 and 434 cases in 2020).

"Though there is a rising trend in registering of total IPC crime, however, the heinous crime percentage of the total IPC cases has shown a declining trend from last 6 years from 5.84 per cent in 2015 to 2.16 per cent in 2020. The dynamic and scientific strategy to control crime has resulted in a sharp decline in heinous crimes," Praveer Ranjan, Special Commissioner of Police, Crime and Economic Offences Wing said.

Cases of dacoity decreased by 40 per cent in the national capital, murder by 9.40 per cent and kidnapping for ransom by 26.67 per cent in 2020.

There was a steady increase in the registration of IPC from the last 3 years mainly on account of 65 per cent to 80 per cent registration of online FIRs for MV theft and other thefts, Delhi Police said.

472 cases of murder were registered during 2020, as compared to 521 cases in 2019.

"Out of these, 89.62 per cent cases were solved. Incidents of murders per lakh of the population have shown a significant decline during the last fourteen years coming down to 2.37 per cent in 2020 from 3.05 per cent in 2005.

According to Delhi Police's data, 1,799 attempt to murder and hurt cases were registered in 2019 as compared to 1,634 cases in 2020.

"An analysis of the motive behind these murders reported in 2020 reveals that 21.19 per cent of the cases were due to sudden provocation or trivial issues, 43.86 per cent due to enmity or dispute. Only 7.20 per cent of the murders were crime related," the Special Commissioner of Police said.

In 2020, Delhi Police solved 90 per cent of murder cases and 96 per cent of attempt to murder cases. 11 cases of kidnapping for ransom were reported in 2020 as against 15 cases of the corresponding period of the previous year showing a decline of 27 per cent. All cases have been solved.

120 cases of extortion were reported in 2020 as against 179 cases of the corresponding period of the previous year showing a decline of 32.96 per cent and 87 per cent cases have been solved.

According to Delhi Police, the use of Fire Arms in crime has shown a decline. During 2020, there were 672 cases in which firearms (736 cases in 2019) were used in which 85 cases of exchange fire took place while apprehending criminals, the police said.

During 2020, 1963 cases of robbery were reported as compared to 1956 cases in the previous year. 1,810 of these cases were solved with the arrest of 3,533 persons. 9 cases of dacoity were reported in 2020 as compared to 15 cases in the corresponding period of 2019.

As many as 7,965 cases of snatching were reported in 2020 as compared to 6,266 cases in 2019. Of these 4,796 (60.21 per cent) cases were solved with the arrest of 6,496 persons in 2020. About 92.98 per cent of total arrested criminals were first-time offenders and 42.71 per cent of them were illiterates or school drop-outs in 2020.

35,019 Motor Vehicles theft cases were reported in 2020 as against 46,215 cases in 2019. Among the stolen vehicles, 25,153 (71.83 per cent) were two-wheelers, 7,157 (20.44 per cent) cars and 2,709 (7.74 per cent) other vehicles. 4,183 (11.94 per cent) stolen vehicles were recovered and 5,211 auto lifters were arrested.

The major percentage share of total IPC is due to e-FIR. These e-FIRs include FIR of MV thefts, property theft and other theft. During 2019, 2,33,191 e-FIR were registered which contributed aout 77 per cent of total IPC cases. During 2020, 1,64,308 e-FIR were registered which contributed about 66 per cent of the total IPC registered in Delhi.

Praveer Ranjan said 2020 saw some massive seizures of narcotics and busting of various peddling networks. A total of 748 FIRs under the NDPS Act were registered all over Delhi and 912 persons were arrested as compared to 712/909 being the corresponding figures for the previous year, he said.

He said the year 2020 was turbulent witnessing agitation against CAA legislation across Delhi followed by North-East Delhi violence.

"Hardly had the heat receded when COVID-19 spread its tentacles and brought even the data to day life process to a standstill. The capital city saw a new spike in the COVID-19 pandemic particularly after cases among the Tablighi Jamaatis were detected. Even towards the end of the year, the city was put on alert especially along the bordering areas keeping in view of farmers' agitation," Ranjan said.

A total of 2,414 cases of gambling were registered in Delhi last year in comparison to 2,339 cases in 2019.

In 2020, Delhi Police arrested a total of 120 'rewarded' criminals including a gangster carrying a reward of Rs 6.5 lakhs, 2 desperate criminals carrying individual rewards of Rs 5 lakhs each, 3 other criminals carrying rewards of Rs 2 lakhs each.

The police also came down heavily on bootleggers in 2020 and registered 5,186 cases under the Excise Act. 6,33,549 bottles of country-made liquor, 62,425 bottles of IMFL and 14,176 bottles of beer were recovered and 566 persons were arrested.