Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Over the last three years, serious crimes such as murder and dowry-related killings have witnessed a significant decline in Uttarakhand. However, the state has seen a concerning rise in crimes like kidnapping, theft, and vehicle theft, according to data provided by the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters in response to an RTI query.
The information, sought by Kashipur-based RTI activist Nadeemuddin Advocate, was disclosed by the Public Information Officer and Additional Superintendent of Police (Personnel) Shahjahan Javed Khan, along with details verified by Deputy Superintendent of Police, C.C.T.N.S., Vivek Singh Kutiyal. The comparative crime data for 2021, 2022, and 2023 highlights a sharp decrease in serious violent crimes but a notable increase in property-related offenses.
According to the report, there were 208 murder cases reported in 2021. This figure dropped to 187 in 2022 and further decreased by 12% to 183 in 2023. Similarly, dowry-related murders fell from 72 cases in 2021 to 70 in 2022, with a substantial 33% drop to 48 cases in 2023.
Crimes involving kidnapping for murder also saw a decline, with four cases recorded in 2021, two in 2022, and only one in 2023—a reduction of 75%. Kidnapping for ransom followed a similar pattern, dropping from six cases in 2021 to two cases in 2023, representing a 66% decrease.
In contrast, crimes such as rape saw a more complex trend. In 2021, 534 cases of rape were registered, which surged by 62% to 867 in 2022. However, 2023 witnessed a notable improvement, with rape cases dropping by 21% from the 2021 figure to 421.
Robberies showed a mixed trend, with 14 cases reported in 2021. The number rose by 35% to 19 cases in 2022 but then dropped by 21% to 11 cases in 2023.
*Surge in Kidnappings, Theft, and Vehicle Crimes*
While serious crimes declined, various property-related and lesser violent crimes surged over the three-year period. Kidnapping cases, for example, increased significantly. In 2021, 819 cases were reported, which rose by 43% to 1,169 in 2022 and further by 54% to 1,264 in 2023 compared to the 2021 figure.
Thefts also saw a sharp rise. In 2021, 2,195 theft cases were registered, which increased by 28% to 2,801 in 2022, and surged by 38% to 3,001 in 2023. Vehicle thefts witnessed a steep increase, with 963 cases reported in 2021. This rose by 35% to 1,303 in 2022 and surged by 58% to 1,520 in 2023.
Burglary cases also showed a modest rise. In 2021, 508 burglaries were reported, which increased by 6% to 537 in 2022 and slightly decreased by 3% to 523 in 2023.
There was also an increase in the number of riots, with 791 cases recorded in 2021, rising by 16% to 915 in 2022. However, a marginal decline was noted in 2023, with 799 cases, still higher than the 2021 figures.
The number of robbery cases increased by 25% from 174 in 2021 to 218 in 2022. In 2023, this figure slightly reduced to 195, which is still 12% higher than in 2021.
“The data clearly shows a reduction in serious crimes like murder and dowry-related deaths, but we are concerned about the rise in kidnappings and property-related crimes,” said Shahjahan Javed Khan, Public Information Officer at Uttarakhand Police Headquarters.
As per the data, the state has been effective in curbing violent crimes, but efforts are needed to address the growing concern around thefts, kidnappings, and other non-violent crimes.
