New Delhi: Delhi, India’s bustling capital and a hub of economic and cultural activity, remains a city of contradictions when it comes to safety and crime, particularly regarding crimes against women.
Despite advancements in technical interventions, the capital continues to witness a high crime rate in several categories, including crimes against women, offences under the Arms Act, gambling, and others.
According to the official data from the Delhi Police spanning 2015 to 2024, a deeper analysis highlights both successes and glaring failures in combating crime.
Crimes against women
While the annual number of rape cases has fluctuated slightly, there has been no significant decline over the decade. In 2015, 2,199 cases were reported, and in 2024, 2,076 were recorded. Over the last decade, a total of 20,876 rape cases have been reported in the capital. This data underscores a grim reality: women in Delhi remain highly vulnerable to violent crimes, despite repeated public outcry and continuous legislative reforms, such as the Nirbhaya Act.
Molestation and eve-teasing
Cases of “eve-teasing” dropped from 1,492 in 2015 to 362 in 2024. However, this decline should not overshadow the possibility of ‘under-reporting,’ influenced by social stigma and patriarchal mindset that still dominates the discourse.
In the last decade, as many as 6,164 such cases have been reported.
Murder cases
In the same period, 5,069 murder cases were recorded. From 570 cases in 2015 to 504 in 2024, the reduction of 66 cases over nine years might seem like progress, but the numbers remain consistent, hovering above 500 annually. This reflects the concerns about street safety in Delhi.
Arms Act violations: A growing threat
In 2015, 700 cases were reported under the Arms Act. By 2024, this number had more than tripled, reaching 3,526 cases. This surge indicates the easy availability of illegal arms, which are often used in other crimes like robbery and murder.
Over the last decade, as per the official data, 23,875 cases under the Arms Act were recorded, emphasising the growing threat of arms-related crimes and the need for stronger border control and intelligence operations.
Rise in gambling
Cases related to gambling have witnessed a significant rise, from 894 in 2015 to 3,556 in 2024, marking nearly a fourfold increase. In total, Delhi recorded 22,003 gambling-related cases over the last decade. This escalation coincides with the growing popularity of online betting and illegal gambling dens. Despite legal bans on most forms of gambling, thee cases continue to surge, pointing to the failure of law enforcement agencies to curb this menace.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
Violations under the NDPS Act have risen dramatically over the past decade, reflecting the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking in the city.
In 2015, only 277 cases were registered under the NDPS Act. By 2024, the number surged to 1,789, a more than sixfold increase. Over the last decade, 7,776 such cases were reported, with 2024 seeing the highest number of drug-related offences, indicating the growing proliferation of drug smuggling, distribution, and consumption within the capital.
Significant decline in robbery cases
Robbery cases in Delhi have seen a major decline, which reflects positive progress by Delhi Police in tackling street crimes through enhanced surveillance and street policing.
From 7,407 cases reported in 2015, the number of robberies dropped to 1,510 in 2024, marking an 80% decrease. Over the last decade, 28,983 robbery cases were recorded, with 2024 seeing the lowest number.