Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ News / India/  Crime rate plunges amid lockdown, but domestic abuse cases may go up
BackBack

Crime rate plunges amid lockdown, but domestic abuse cases may go up

Total number of crimes registered in Delhi so far this year has dropped to 1,890 from 3,416 in the same period of 2019
  • The sharpest fall was seen in Delhi and Karnataka where crime rates plunged by half since the lockdown
  • A policeman keeps watch from atop a building in Mumbai amid the lockdown. (Photo: AP)Premium
    A policeman keeps watch from atop a building in Mumbai amid the lockdown. (Photo: AP)

    NEW DELHI : With fewer people venturing out, crime across the country has seen a sharp drop. The sharpest decline was seen in Delhi and Karanataka, where crime rates plunged by half after the 21-day lockdown was announced.

    While crimes such as theft, murder and molestations have reduced, experts fear that cases of domestic violence and cybercrimes might have increased in the lockdown period and many of them have not been reported.

    “Domestic violence will increase. This is happening across the world. There is an increased chance because of the uncertainty associated with this disease," said Manasi Mishra, head of the research division, Centre for Social Research.

    Crime saw a significant decline over the past one month, since Delhi banned all public gatherings, followed by the nationwide lockdown that took effect from 25 March, Delhi Police said. The total number of crimes dropped to 1,890 in 2020 from 3,416 in the previous year .

    Cases of molestation of women dropped to 72 this year from 144 in the previous year. The number of kidnappings also dropped to 150 from 259, while the number robberies fell to 53 from 109. Motor vehicles thefts to 1,243 from 1,982.

    There has been a step up in vigilance across the national capital. The sealing of Delhi’s borders has also proved helpful in lowering the crime rate.

    “We are cracking down on all suspicious movement," a Delhi Police official said. “Drones have helped us keep track of even the smallest movement."

    Officials in Karnataka said that it is but natural that crime rates have come down.

    “Crime rates must have dropped to 20-25% if not more," said Praveen Sood, director general and inspector general of police, Karnataka.

    Theft may have come down as everyone is at home, said Sood. Even accidents have come down to zero, he said. This is largely because, with the lockdown in place, Bengaluru has just 2% of its actual vehicle population on the streets, he added. However, there have been raids against makers of fake sanitizers and racketeers trying to profit from the crisis, the police said.

    In Kerala, the lockdown may have made a dent in many illicit businesses, but some criminals are taking advantage of new opportunities such as organised smuggling of people through closed borders for 1,000 for every person taken through, said the police.

    pretika.k@livemint.com

    Sharan Poovanna and Nidheesh M. K. contributed to this story.

    Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

    Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
    More Less
    Published: 13 Apr 2020, 09:41 AM IST
    Next Story footLogo
    Recommended For You
    Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App