3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Oct 7, 2025 01:10 AM IST
The data reveals that out of 2,209 persons arrested under IPC crimes, only 873 were convicted, while 1,225 were acquitted and two discharged (Representational/File Photo)
Continuing the declining trend witnessed in recent years, the conviction rate in Indian Penal Code (IPC) cases in Chandigarh has hit a low of 42 per cent in 2023, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report.
The data reveals that out of 2,209 persons arrested under IPC crimes, only 873 were convicted, while 1,225 were acquitted and two discharged. A closer look at the 2023 statistics shows that Chandigarh Police arrested 2,209 individuals, of which 2,097 were males and 112 females. Among juveniles, 177 were apprehended, including 176 boys and a single girl.
The bulk of arrests were among young adults — 942 persons between 18 and 30 years (916 males, 26 females) — followed by 711 individuals aged 30–45 (653 males, 58 females). Among those aged 45–60, 352 arrests were made (328 males, 24 females), and only 27 arrests were recorded for those above 60 years (24 males, 3 females).
Despite this large number of arrests, the conviction figures remain subdued. Of the 873 convictions, 841 were males and 32 were females, highlighting that more than half of the accused were acquitted, including 1,180 males and 45 females. This keeps the conviction rate hovering at just 42 per cent, raising questions about investigation quality, evidence collection, and prosecution efficiency.
Historical NCRB data shows that Chandigarh’s conviction rates have seen considerable fluctuations over the past decade. In 2022, the city recorded its highest IPC conviction rate in ten years at nearly 52 per cent, with 1,027 persons convicted out of 2,400 arrested. The previous year, 2021, saw a stronger rate of 63 per cent, with 1,289 convictions from 2,324 arrests. In contrast, 2020 reflected a steep dip, with only 368 convictions from 2,931 arrests, translating to a rate of roughly 48 per cent.
Looking further back, Chandigarh courts completed 2,308 IPC trials in 2013, convicting 1,175 accused (50.9 per cent). The rate then fell to 40 per cent in 2014, slightly improved to 43.6 per cent in 2015, and hovered around 44.3 per cent in 2016. However, a dramatic drop occurred in 2017 when only 576 convictions were recorded from 1,484 trials, bringing the rate down to 38.8 percent. In 2018, a slight recovery to 42 per cent was recorded, but the figures still remained below the 50 per cent mark.
Speaking on the low conviction rate in 2023, SSP Chandigarh Police Kanwardeep Kaur cited the introduction of new legislation as a game-changer. “With the implementation of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), along with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) since July 2024, we have registered 180 FIRs under the new laws, and there has been a 92 per cent conviction rate since then,” she said.
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The SSP emphasised that efforts to improve coordination with the prosecution are ongoing. Regular training sessions for prosecutors and police officers on the new legal provisions are expected to enhance case preparation, strengthen evidence presentation, and, ultimately, raise conviction rates.
Advocate Abhilaksh Gaind, a practising counsel at the trial courts and the high court, pointed out that while Chandigarh’s small population and relatively low crime load should make prosecution easier, the city has historically struggled with high acquittal rates.
The 2023 NCRB data underscores that systemic challenges such as delays in trials, lack of concrete evidence, and hostile witnesses continue to affect conviction outcomes, Gaind added.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
