With 8% rise in cases, Delhi topped the crime charts in 2023

At 28.7, the national capital also had the lowest chargesheet-filing rate among all metropolitan cities.

Violent crimes saw a marginal decline from 11,014 in 2023 to 11,369 in 2022. Among violent crimes, around 500 cases of murder were reported while 753 were of attempt to murder, 371 of grievous hurt and 114 of dowry death, among others. Besides, a total of 5,681 kidnapping and abduction cases and 1,644 robbery cases were reported – the highest figure among metro cities.

Instances of murder saw a marginal rise from 501 cases in 2022 to 503 in 2023. Most of the murder cases were committed owing to personal enmity/personal disputes, illicit relationship, love affair or during dacoity and robbery or monetary dispute, the data revealed.

Police officers said that it has been observed that in most of the murder cases, the crime was committed in a fit of rage. “Most cases had sudden provocation and some were even carried out under the influence of alcohol,” an officer said.

Even in terms of theft, Delhi ruled the roost with over two lakh cases being registered in 2023. The highest number of motor vehicle (MV) theft cases – around 40,000 – were reported from Delhi. Police officers said the rise in the number of thefts can also be attributed to the provision of online e-FIRs.

“Sometimes, people of other states also file an online theft or MV act case online, which adds up to the number since it is easy and accessible,” a police officer said.

The data also noted a rise in crime against senior citizens. While 1,313 such cases were reported in 2022, the figure climbed to 1,361 in 2023. Delhi Police has a dedicated senior citizen cell in every police station, which checks on elderly people living alone and also greets them on their birthdays besides conducting weekly checks.