Telangana tops forgery and cheating cases in 2023

HYDERABAD: Despite police efforts to curb crime, Telangana reported the highest number of forgery and cheating cases in India in 2023, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

The state registered 18,250 forgery and cheating cases, placing it first in the country. Telangana also ranked second in economic offences (26,881 cases) and cyber crimes (18,236 cases). It stood second in both human trafficking (336 cases) and trafficking of women (298 cases), which officials described as a matter of concern.

The NCRB report, delayed due to technical reasons, compiled crime statistics from states and Union territories for 2023.

Low conviction rate in crimes against women

The conviction rate in crimes against women in Telangana was 11.6%, well below the national average of 21.2%. In cases involving crimes against children, only 20.6% led to conviction, compared with the national average of 28.1%.

In contrast, Telangana fared better in economic offences, with convictions in 32.9% of cases, higher than the national average of 29%.

State’s position in major crimes

The state reported 23,678 crimes against women, ranking seventh nationwide. It also recorded 10,518 cases of cruelty by husbands, ranking sixth. Telangana registered 3,128 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, ranking eighth, and 1,758 child rape cases, placing it tenth.

The state reported 954 murders, ranking fifteenth, and 817 rapes, ranking thirteenth. Dowry deaths stood at 145 cases, ranking tenth, while kidnapping of women totalled 2,152 cases, ranking twelfth.