Goa Police reported a 96.6% detection rate in heinous crimes and around 88% in overall cases in 2024, registering 2,096 cases under the Indian Penal Code. Despite this, only 250 convictions were secured by October. For cybercrime, police achieved a 35% detection rate, solving 18 of 56 cases and making 45 arrests. Drugs worth Rs 9.81 crore were seized, but the conviction rate remains disproportionately low. India’s average conviction rate is 57%, whereas Goa’s is 19.8%, the sixth lowest nationwide.
The low conviction rate is attributed to inadequate and unscientific investigations, hostile witnesses, prolonged trials, and over 90% of cases pending trial. Investigators often fail to follow mandatory procedures for attaching seized drugs in NDPS cases, leading to dismissals.Evidence collected at crime scenes plays a crucial role in securing convictions. Weak evidence undermines cases, making it difficult for courts to convict, regardless of efforts by public prosecutors. The onus lies on the police to conduct thorough investigations and independently gather compelling evidence to improve conviction rates..
