Capital shame: Crime rate rises by 21% in Delhi

The first half of 2017 has witnessed a rise of over 21% in crime in the National Capital, and the year may witness highest number of crimes ever in the history of Delhi. Total IPC crimes up to June 15 have registered an increase of more than 20,000 crime cases. While the police claims a drop of 31% in heinous crime cases, non heinous have seen an increase of more than 24%, with thefts as major menace. Number of thefts have almost doubled be it motor vehicle, burglary or house theft.

A data of crime in Delhi up to 15 June 2017, accessed by DNA, suggests that the total number of IPC crimes have already crossed over one lakh with 1,10,350; last year, the number was 90,813. House thefts, burglary, motor vehicle thefts have seen a drastic rise.

Gajanan Nirphale

If this crime graph continues to rise, 2017 would be the year of highest crime ever recorded in the capital. There has been a constant rise in crime cases in the past 10 years, which officers say is because of a larger number of registration of cases thanks to technological advancement.

The data suggests a 31.3% hike in non heinous crimes. Last year within the same period 17,791 cases of motor vehicle thefts were recorded which rose to 17,949 this year. Similarly, 5,670 cases of burglary recorded last year increased to 6,394 this time. 5,408 cases of house thefts increased to 6,705 and other thefts from 33,823 to 52,288.

There is a small measure of respite: Police claims there’s a 24% dip in heinous crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, dacoity and riots.