PANAJI
Even as Goa recorded a decline in crimes against senior citizens in 2024, poor conviction rate and massive pendency of cases have emerged as major concerns, with over 95 per cent of cases still awaiting trial at the end of the year.
According to the latest crime data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Goa registered 30 cases of crimes against senior citizens in 2024, down from 40 in 2023 and 35 in 2022. However, despite the drop in reported offences, the disposal and conviction figures paint a grim picture.
Out of 233 cases pending for trial during the year, only one conviction was secured in 2024, while eight cases ended in acquittal, resulting in 13 persons being acquitted. The conviction rate stood at a mere 11.1 per cent, while the pendency percentage touched an alarming 95.7 per cent.
The data further showed that 223 cases remained pending trial at the end of the year.
Police records revealed that 29 cases were already pending investigation from the previous year, while another 30 fresh cases were reported in 2024. Of these, police disposed of 33 cases during the year, but 25 investigations were still pending at the year-end.
Eight cases were classified as “true but insufficient evidence”, “untraced”, or “no clue”.
The chargesheeting rate for crimes against senior citizens in Goa stood at 72.7 per cent in 2024, while the pendency percentage at the investigation stage was recorded at 43.1 per cent.
Among the serious offences reported during the year were five murder cases involving senior citizens. Of these, two were registered under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while three were booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The report further stated that 22 persons were arrested in connection with crimes against senior citizens during the year, while 47 persons were chargesheeted.
