Crime rate in Telangana drops 2.33% in 2025; recoveries in cybercrime cases up 23%: DGP Shivadhar Reddy

Hyderabad: Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy on Tuesday said that the overall crime rate in the State declined by 2.33 per cent in 2025, reflecting improved law and order, though breach of trust cases increased by 23 per cent.

Presenting the annual crime review at a media conference, the DGP said sustained policing, technology-driven investigations and focused welfare measures contributed to better outcomes across sectors.

Overall crime and convictions

A total of 2,28,695 cases were registered in Telangana during the year. The conviction rate improved to 38.27 per cent, up from 35.63 per cent in 2024.

Courts awarded life imprisonment to 320 accused in 216 cases, while three persons were sentenced to death in POCSO cases, the DGP said.

Major crimes show a decline

Serious offences recorded a notable fall during the year. These include:

- Murder cases declined by 8.76 per cent.

- Rape cases dropped by 13.45 per cent.

- Crimes against women reduced by 9.53 per cent.

The DGP said effective preventive policing and swift investigation played a key role in reducing violent crimes.

Dowry, SC/ST cases and women’s safety

Murders related to dowry demands fell significantly, while dowry harassment cases declined by 2 per cent.

Cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act also saw a 9.5 per cent reduction.

The DGP credited the active functioning of She Teams for strengthening women’s safety and improving response to distress calls.

Cyber Crime: Recovery improves despite national surge

Cybercrime recoveries increased by 23 per cent, with police recovering Rs 246 crore during 2025. Of this, Rs 150 crore was refunded to 25,500 victims.

Police arrested 371 persons accused of various cybercrimes. While cybercrime cases in Telangana declined by 3 per cent, such offences increased by 41 per cent at the national level, he noted.

Child safety and anti-trafficking efforts

In cases of child trafficking, police registered 481 cases, rescued 959 victims and arrested 1,277 accused.

Telangana secured first place nationally in Operation Smile and Operation Muskaan. Overall, 12,396 children were rescued during the year.

Improved fingerprint analysis helped police crack over 600 cases, the DGP added.

NDPS, financial crimes and zero FIRs

Under the NDPS Act, 2,542 cases were registered, a 31 per cent increase compared to last year. Financial crimes declined by 6 per cent, while 1,251 Zero FIRs were registered across the State to ensure quicker access to justice.

Road accidents: Decline in fatalities

Though road accidents increased during the year, fatalities reduced. A total of 6,499 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2025, marking a decline in deaths compared to the previous year.

Expansion of police infrastructure

During the year, the police set up a new HYDRAA Police Station, while CCS Rajendranagar and CCS Medchal Zone were upgraded into full-fledged police stations.

For law and order, two new police stations were established in Narayanpet district and one in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. In the traffic wing, two stations were opened in Nagarkurnool and one in Kalwakurthy.

Awards, events and public outreach

Shamirpet Police Station secured seventh rank at the DGs and IGs Conference held in Raipur. Police personnel also received awards for excellence in passport verification services.

The DGP said the State successfully conducted major events, including the Future City International Summit, an international football programme featuring Lionel Messi, and three phases of Gram Panchayat elections, all without major law and order issues.

Awareness initiatives

As part of social outreach, the police will organise a film festival themed ‘One Minute Can Change a Life’, with awards for short films focusing on women’s safety.

“Overall, law and order remained fully under control throughout the year,” the DGP said, adding that focused policing and public cooperation were key to the improved crime indicators.