New Delhi: Crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) saw an increase of 9.4 per cent and 9.3 per cent respectively in 2020 compared to the previous year, according to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Wednesday.
However, crimes against women witnessed a decline of 8.3 per cent, the report said.
A total of 50,291 cases were registered for crimes against SCs last year. The number was 45,961 in 2019. Meanwhile, 8,272 cases were registered for crimes against STs in 2020 as against 7,570 cases in 2019.
‘Simple hurt’ — with 16,543 cases (32.9 per cent) — formed the highest number of cases of crimes and atrocities against SCs during 2020, followed by cases lodged under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (4,273 cases or 8.5 per cent), and criminal intimidation cases (3,788 cases or 7.5 per cent).
In the case of STs, ‘Simple hurt’ — with 2,247 cases (27.2 per cent) — formed the highest number of cases of crimes & atrocities, followed by rape — 1,137 cases (13.7 per cent) — and assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty — 885 cases (10.7 per cent).
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MP, Rajasthan record highest crime rate
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar recorded the highest rate of crimes against SCs. Among cities, Kanpur and Jaipur registered the highest rate.
Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana recorded the highest rate of crimes against STs.
Crimes against women
A total of 3,71,503 cases of crime against women were registered during 2020, a decline of 8.3 per cent compared to 2019 (4,05,326 cases), with West Bengal and Odisha registering the highest increase.
Uttar Pradesh registered the biggest drop — 49,385 cases in 2020 from 59,853 cases in 2019. Delhi, too, saw a decline — 10,093 cases in 2020 from 13,395 cases in 2019.
‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ formed the highest number of cases (30 per cent), followed by ‘Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty’ (23 per cent), kidnapping & abduction of women (16.8 per cent), and rape (7.5 per cent).
However, the rate of crime (per lakh women) saw a decline — 56.5 per cent in 2020 as against 62.3 per cent in 2019.
The NCRB report also stated that cases registered under crimes against women, children and senior citizens, theft, burglary, robbery and dacoity declined during lockdown from March-May last year.
(Edited by Neha Mahajan)
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