Crime rate in TS increased by 4.65% in 2021; awareness, zero FIRs cited as reasons

The crime rate in Telangana increased by 4.65% in 2021. A total of 1,80,497 cases were registered this year as against 1,72,469 in 2020.

The Telangana police said the increase is due to awareness about online petitions. "Since the public has become well-versed with technology and online method, lodging online petitions without approaching the police stations has increased enormously," said M. Mahendra Reddy, DGP, Telangana police.

A total of 10,656 online petitions were received in 2021 compared to 2,626 in 2020 – an increase of 8,030 online petitions.

Also, the increase in crime rate is due to zero FIRs that can be filed in any police station irrespective of whether the offense was committed in that area or any other area. The number of zero FIRs increased by 62% during the current year compared to the previous year. A total of 838 zero FIRs were registered in 2021. The number was only 517 in 2020.

Enforcement of stringent measures and the launching of special drives against drug abuse and other social vices led to the booking of maximum cases to make the state drug-free and to create fear among the producers and consumers. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the police took a tough stand against violators and maximum cases were registered for violation of COVID rules.

The police said that the two-fold increase in cyber crimes in the state was due to technological growth and development backed by the Internet.

Meanwhile, 923 murder cases were registered in 2021 in the state. There was also a slight increase in crimes in the state and it reported 389 cases of culpable homicide, 441 robberies, 1,218 kidnappings, 2382 rape, 14666 cheating cases, and 16,956 missing person cases. The state saw a decrease in IPC cases (69,652 in 2021 and 75,518 in 2020), CrPC cases (29,025 in 2021, 30,277 in 2020) and rioting cases (488 in 2021, 708 in 2020).