CRIME AGAINST women and children spiked in 2024 in Mumbai, with reported cases of rape, molestation and child sex abuse going up by 12.8 per cent, compared to that in 2023, according to data compiled by Mumbai Police. Cases of child abuse increased by 21 per cent, highest in three years.
While the aggregate number of rape, molestation and child sex abuse cases in 2023 witnessed a decline of 5.5 per cent over 2022, the numbers in 2022 went up by 11.4 per cent over 2021.
Rape cases in Mumbai increased to 1,051 in 2024 over 973 in the previous year, while molestation cases rose to 2,397 against 2,055 in 2023. The biggest increase was, however, seen in child sex abuse cases, which rose sharply by 21 per cent from 1,108 reported cases in 2023 to 1,341 cases in 2024. The number of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act declined by 4.2 per cent in 2023 over 2022, while it increased by 8.5 per cent in 2022 over 2021.
Child sex abuse cases are registered under the provisions of the POCSO Act. Of the 1,341 POCSO Act cases, 609 were rape cases, 677 molestation cases and 35 were eve-teasing cases. The total number of kidnapping cases of women (both major and minor) went up from 1,167 in 2023 to 1,231 in 2024.
Incidents of thefts, riots
Besides spike in crime against women and children, Mumbai also witnessed an increase in cases of thefts and riots. In 2023, 6,689 cases of thefts and 292 cases riots were reported, while in 2024 such crimes increased — 8,262 theft cases and 323 riot incidents. As many as 303 cases of attempted murder were also reported in 2024 against 292 cases in 2023.
Other serious crimes such as murder, dacoity, robbery, chain snatching, and motor vehicle theft did not cross the previous year’s numbers. In 2024, 107 cases of murder, 16 dacoity, 474 robbery, 116 cases of chain snatching, and 2,589 cases of motor vehicle theft were reported.
Cyber crimes reported to police are at their all-time high in Mumbai. In 2024, 5,087 such cases were filed by Mumbai Police, of which 1,253 cases were detected. This included 1,160 investment or share market frauds, 451 job frauds (task job frauds), and 896 online frauds, including credit card frauds. In 2023, a total of 4,169 cases of cyber crimes were reported.
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Transparency in registration
On the increase in cases of crime against women, a police officer said that in more than 95% of rape cases, the accused are known to the victims. Another officer, requesting anonymity, said that while there could be various possible factors, including social aspects, the figures also reflect transparency in the registration of such crimes. “More reporting of crime can also be attributed to or seen as citizens not fearing or hesitating to approach police, unlike other cities or rural police where crimes are underreported,” the officer said.
Former Director General of Maharashtra Praveen Dixit, too, said that an increase in crimes against women and children reflects transparency in registration. “For various reasons, there is a tendency to suppress these incidents. Police should register them as stated, investigate, and if found true, send a chargesheet at the earliest,” he said.
According to another senior police officer, the increase in POCSO cases is also due to the high reporting of such cases, especially after the Badlapur incident where two minor children were sexually assaulted by a school janitor in August 2024. The incident sparked a massive protest and the accused was later killed in an encounter.
The Bombay High Court also criticised the authorities for negligence in handling child sexual abuse cases and ensuring child safety in educational institutions. After strong criticism, the administration was forced to introduce new safety guidelines for schools and put efforts towards making the school premises safer for children and also to take the strictest approach in dealing with such cases. The controversy also prompted parents of schoolchildren to be more vigilant and created awareness regarding the reporting of such matters.
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In the Badlapur case, due to the allegations of delay in filing an FIR, three police officers, including a senior inspector, were suspended. This also sent a strong message across all the police stations in the MMR region, following which complaints of almost all cases of child sexual assault were converted into FIRs, and immediate action was taken, another officer said.
Increased awareness
A senior police officer, however, said that POCSO Act cases were always dealt with sensitively, regardless of the Badlapur incident. However, considering the massive outrage following the incident, instructions were issued to police stations to follow guidelines more closely. The surge in cases can also be attributed to increased awareness among the public regarding the reporting of such crimes.
According to Dixit, “The accused should not be released on bail in the name of personal liberty, but the trial should be completed expeditiously and the accused should be convicted within the stipulated period.”
On analysing the child sexual abuse cases reported daily at the city police station, it is seen that more than 75 per cent of POCSO Act cases are reported in slum areas, where literacy levels are low and alcohol and drug menace is high, a police officer said.
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An activist, who runs an NGO that works towards curbing girl sex abuse cases, emphasised the importance of preventive measures over reactive responses. According to the activist, the government and police should focus on building a sustainable prevention system. There is a need for comprehensive training for educators, staff, and parents to effectively address and prevent child sexual abuse.
Preventive actions
On decrease in other crimes in Mumbai, a police officer from the West region said that conducting preventive actions such as Operation All Out — a citywide combing operation and crackdown on anti-social elements — and action against hardened criminals ensures serious and organised crimes under check in Mumbai. Regular patrolling, strategic deployment of police at key public places, and wide coverage of CCTVs also ensure effective checks on street crimes.
Regarding the increase in cases of thefts, Dixit said, “People should be careful and take precautions, including having CCTV, alarms, and the deployment of guards.”
On increasing cases of riots, Dixit said, “Police need to engage citizens as police ‘mitra’ to get their help in information to prevent crimes. In Thane city, for example, this has reduced crimes by 15 per cent. Mumbai city needs to explain why they are not associating citizens in the prevention of crimes.”
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An officer said that every Saturday, Mumbai Police conducts Complaints Redressal Day and interacts with victims and review their case’s progress and see if they are facing any issues.
Senior police officers from Mumbai Police did not comment on the crime statistics and police spokesperson DCP Datta Nalawade, too, declined to comment.