Telangana crime report 2022: Crime rate up by over 4%; cyber crimes, property crimes rise

Hyderabad: Overall crime in Telangana increased by 4.44% in 2022, according to the state police's annual report. This year, 1,42,917 cases were registered in the state. The state also saw a rise in the number of cyber crimes this year with 13,895 cases being registered in 2022 as against 8,839 cases in 2021. This was an increase of 57%.

"The number of cyber crimes is steadily rising and it might be possible that every crime in the future will be a cybercrime," said Mahender Reddy, Telangana director general of police. A sharp increase in cyber crime was also observed in the Hyderabad tri-commissionerate area. In Cyberabad, cyber crime increased by 25.85%. The number of cyber crime cases reported has increased by 66% in the Rachakonda commissionerate. On the other hand, kidnapping and robbery cases increased by 15% and 7%, respectively. Murder for gain saw the highest decrease (-52%).

Crimes against women

A total of 17,908 cases of crimes against women were registered during 2022 as against 17,253 cases in 2021. This was an increase of 3.8%. However, rape cases decreased by 17% and POCSO cases by 5% in 2022. A total of 2,432 POCSO cases were registered during the year.

Out of 17,908 cases of crimes against women, 2126 cases were for rape, 40 for dowry murders, 126 for dowry deaths, 9,071 for dowry harassment, 181 for murder, and 4,964 for outraging the modesty of women. The state saw an 8% increase in dowry harassment and 40% increase in bigamy .

SHE teams attended to 6,157 complaints from women for harassment in public places, which resulted in 2,128 FIRs, 864 petty cases, 1,842 counsellings, and 1,323 warnings and let-offs.

Property crime

A total of 24,127 cases were registered during the year 2022, a 3.5% rise from 23,261 cases in 2021. Of the 24,127 property cases, 12,223 or 49% were detected. Meanwhile, the total property lost has been valued at Rs. 148 crores of which only 50% (Rs. 74 crores) has been recovered.

Drugs

NDPS cases reduced by 5% in Telangana in 2022, according to the report. A total of 1,176 cases were registered this year, as against 1,233 cases in 2021. The report said a comprehensive action plan has been prepared, with an increased number of checkpoints at the district/state borders, and a "Special Drive" launched against people involved in ganja trade with a view to eradicate production/supply and consumption of ganja.

A total of 1,176 cases were registered under NDPS Act during the year 2022, of which 1,104 are ganja cases. Also, 31,301 kg of ganja was seized, 593 ganja plants destroyed, and 2,582 accused arrested during the year. Of the total cases, 72 pertain to other synthetic drugs. Preventive and Detention Act (PD Act) was invoked against 205 drug peddlers.