India records nearly 4.5 lakh crimes against women in 2023: NCRB

New Delhi: India recorded nearly 4.5 lakh incidents of crime against women in 2023, showing a marginal increase from the previous two years, according to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The data is based on reports submitted by police stations across all states and Union Territories (UTs), reflecting national crime trends.

A total of 4,48,211 crimes against women were reported in 2023, up from 4,45,256 cases in 2022 and 4,28,278 in 2021. This represents a national crime rate of 66.2 incidents per lakh female population, calculated based on mid-year projected female population estimates of 6,770 lakh. The overall rate of filing charge sheets in these cases stood at 77.6 percent in 2023.

Among states, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of cases at 66,381, followed by Maharashtra (47,101), Rajasthan (45,450), West Bengal (34,691), and Madhya Pradesh (32,342).

In terms of crime rate per lakh female population, Telangana led with 124.9, followed by Rajasthan (114.8), Odisha (112.4), Haryana (110.3), and Kerala (86.1).

The report highlighted the nature of crimes against women in 2023:

• Cruelty by husband or relatives (IPC Section 498A): 1,33,676 cases; rate of 19.7 per lakh.
• Kidnapping and abduction: 88,605 cases; rate of 13.1 per lakh.
• Assault on women with intent to outrage modesty: 83,891 cases; rate of 12.4 per lakh.
• Rape: 29,670 cases; rate of 4.4 per lakh.
• Dowry deaths: 6,156 cases; rate of 0.9 per lakh.
• Abetment to suicide: 4,825 cases; rate of 0.7 per lakh.
• Insult to modesty: 8,823 cases; rate of 1.3 per lakh.

The NCRB data underscores a persistent rise in crimes against women across India, with certain states showing particularly high crime rates, highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring women’s safety nationwide.