PANAJI
In a State where the government has been emphasizing a high detection rate, an unexpected surge in Indian Penal Code (IPC) cases was recorded last year. A closer look at the data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicated fluctuations in the total number of IPC cases over the past three years with an increase last year.
In 2020, Goa registered a total of 3,393 cases, which declined to 2,099 in 2021, only to see a subsequent increase to 2,711 in 2022. The rate of cognizable crimes stood at 172.8 while the charge sheeting rate stood at 75.9 per cent.
The data also highlighted that under violent crimes, 44 'Murder' cases were reported last year while 'Culpable Homicide' saw a comparatively lower count, with 4 cases.
Comparatively, there has been a concerning trend in cases of 'Causing Death by Negligence,' which recorded 240 victims from 180 incidents. This certainly includes several fatal accidents including the infamous Banastarim mishap. The rate for these cases is recorded at 11.5.
Surge in crime by foreigners
Goa witnessed an alarming trend of crimes committed by foreigners last year, with total cases surpassing offences against these foreign nationals most of whom chose this State as their favourite holiday destination or to carry out criminal activities such as the narcotics trade.
Data compiled and released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates that the number of crimes committed by foreigners in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 80, 40, and 67, respectively. The charge sheeting rate for these crimes reached a high of 93.8 per cent in 2022.
The nature of crimes committed by them ranges from kidnapping, cheating, rape, and forgery, and even the prevalent ones such as overstaying and drug-related offences. Both overstaying and drug-related crimes accounted for 27 cases each last year.
In stark contrast, crimes against foreign nationals are fewer, though over the same three-year period, cases under this category show an upward trend with 11, 10, and 16 reported cases in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. The charge sheet rate for crimes against foreigners was recorded at 76.9 per cent in 2022.
Poor conviction rate, pendency percentage high
The NCRB data also sheds light on the state of convictions in criminal cases for 2022 wherein 365 cases resulted in convictions but a substantial 744 cases ended in acquittals. This conviction rate is 25.7 and the pendency percentage is 90.3.
Of 365 convictions, 252 were of cases from the previous year and 113 convictions of cases during the year 2022; 313 cases were discharged and a whopping 744 cases resulted in acquittals during the same period. So also, the Court completed trials in 1422 IPC cases and disposed of 1663 cases whereas 15560 cases were pending trial at the end of the year 2022.
Further, a total of 15,061 cases were pending trial from the previous year and throughout 2022, an additional 2,162 cases were sent for trial, bringing the total number of cases in trial to 17,223. A total of 44 cases were abated by the court, and 37 cases were withdrawn from prosecution during the period whereas 241 cases were disposed of without going through the trial process.
Rise in crime against women
The NCRB further unveiled the grim side of crimes against women as IPC offences reached 268 cases last year wherein 284 girls and women fell victim to these offences.
Under the sexual crimes against women, a total of 73 rape cases were reported wherein 75 women were victims, resulting in an overall rate of 9.4. Of the total victims, 18 cases involved women above the age of 18, while 55 victim girls were below the age of 18.
There were also 90 victims from 87 cases of outraging modesty; and 30 cases involved insult to the modesty of women, with 31 victims. A total of 60 cases of kidnapping and abduction were reported. The report also revealed a rise in overall crimes against women over the past three years. In 2020, there were 219 reported cases, which increased to 224 in 2021 and further escalated to 273 in 2022. The rate of total crime against women stood at a concerning 35.1.
