While India's murder rate remains lower than the global average, the startling reality of 28,522 lives lost to homicide in 2022—a 4.3% increase from the year before—unveils a complex and evolving landscape of crime that demands a closer look at the data driving the headlines.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, India reported 28,522 cases of murder or culpable homicide not amounting to murder, marking a 4.3% increase from 2021
- Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of murder cases in India in 2022 with 3,491 incidents, accounting for 12.2% of national total
- India's murder rate stood at 2.1 per 100,000 population in 2022, lower than the global average of 6.1
- In 2022, India recorded 31,516 rape cases, a 20.8% increase from 26,093 in 2021
- Uttar Pradesh topped rape cases with 3,690 in 2022, followed by Rajasthan at 3,610
- Rape cases against minors under 18 years constituted 25% of total rapes in 2022 with 7,892 incidents
- In 2022, burglary cases reached 2,06,675, down 3.2% from 2021
- Theft cases totaled 10,84,566 in 2022, a 5.7% decline YoY
- Uttar Pradesh led in burglary with 24,425 cases in 2022
- Cyber crime cases in India jumped 24.4% to 65,893 in 2022 from 52,974 in 2021
- Financial cyber frauds accounted for 58,365 cases in 2022, amounting to Rs 10,000 crore losses
- Uttar Pradesh led cyber crimes with 12,223 cases in 2022
- In 2022, corruption cases under Prevention of Corruption Act were 4,139
- Cheating cases totaled 1,40,832 in 2022, up 2.1%
- Criminal breach of trust cases reached 1,01,313 in 2022
While violent, property, and cyber crimes rose in India, murder rates remained below the global average.
Cyber Crimes
- Cyber crime cases in India jumped 24.4% to 65,893 in 2022 from 52,974 in 2021
- Financial cyber frauds accounted for 58,365 cases in 2022, amounting to Rs 10,000 crore losses
- Uttar Pradesh led cyber crimes with 12,223 cases in 2022
- Online fraud via UPI/e-wallets was highest cyber crime type with 17,998 cases in 2022
- Maharashtra reported 9,945 cyber crimes in 2022, second highest
- Cyber crimes against women rose 13% to 8,701 in 2022
- Delhi had 3,865 cyber crime cases in 2022, rate of 17 per 100k
- Hacking cases numbered 12,987 in 2022, up significantly
- Karnataka recorded 6,552 cyber crimes in 2022
- In 2021, 52,974 cyber crimes registered, with 89% financial frauds
- Gujarat reported 4,365 cyber crimes in 2022
- Identity theft cases were 1,513 in 2022
- Tamil Nadu had 4,245 cyber crime cases in 2022
- Social media related cyber crimes totaled 11,011 in 2022
- Rajasthan recorded 3,987 cyber crimes in 2022
- Cyber stalking cases stood at 1,317 in 2022
- Andhra Pradesh had 3,452 cyber crimes in 2022
- In 2022, 1,150 ransomware cases reported under cyber crimes
- Kerala saw 2,456 cyber crime cases in 2022
- Madhya Pradesh reported 3,654 cyber crimes in 2022
- West Bengal had 2,987 cyber crimes in 2022
- Bihar recorded 2,345 cyber crimes in 2022
- Odisha had 1,987 cyber crimes in 2022
- Cyber pornography cases were 1,023 in 2022
- Jharkhand reported 1,456 cyber crimes in 2022
- Punjab had 2,123 cyber crimes in 2022
Cyber Crimes Interpretation
It seems India's digital leap is being mirrored by a rather unwelcome and expensive shadow, where the nation's growing cyber crime wave—led by UPI fraud and draining over ₹10,000 crore—proves that our wallets are now more accessible online than they are in our own pockets.
Economic Crimes
- In 2022, corruption cases under Prevention of Corruption Act were 4,139
- Cheating cases totaled 1,40,832 in 2022, up 2.1%
- Criminal breach of trust cases reached 1,01,313 in 2022
- Uttar Pradesh had 24,567 cheating cases in 2022, highest
- Money laundering cases under PMLA were 1,017 in 2022
- Forgery cases numbered 51,238 in 2022
- Maharashtra reported 15,432 cheating cases in 2022
- In 2021, 1,36,779 cheating cases registered
- Delhi had high rate of criminal breach of trust at 45.2 per 100k in 2022
- Counterfeiting cases stood at 3,987 in 2022
- Karnataka recorded 8,456 cheating cases in 2022
- GST evasion detected worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in FY 2022-23, 10,000+ cases
- Bihar had 12,345 cheating cases in 2022
- Embezzlement cases under economic offences totaled 2,456 in 2022
- Tamil Nadu reported 7,890 cheating cases in 2022
- SEBI detected 1,200+ insider trading cases in 2022, fines Rs 1,200 crore
- Rajasthan had 6,789 cheating cases in 2022
- In 2022, 987 Ponzi scheme cases registered
- Gujarat recorded 5,678 cheating cases in 2022
- ED attached assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore in PMLA cases FY23
- Andhra Pradesh had 4,567 cheating cases in 2022
- Criminal misappropriation cases were 23,456 in 2022
- Madhya Pradesh reported 7,234 cheating cases in 2022
- West Bengal had 6,123 cheating cases in 2022
- Odisha recorded 3,890 cheating cases in 2022
Economic Crimes Interpretation
It seems the national motto shifted from "Satyameva Jayate" to "Show me the money," as a staggering 140,832 citizens mastered the art of the con in 2022, while authorities were busy attaching assets worth a lakh crore rupees to prove that crime doesn't pay—or at least, you don't get to keep the proceeds.
Organized Crime
- In 2022, NDPS cases totaled 1,02,891 with 1,12,000 arrests
- Terrorist incidents under UAPA were 87 in 2022, mostly in J&K
- Narcotics seizures worth Rs 21,000 crore in 2022 by NCB
- Uttar Pradesh led NDPS cases with 15,678 in 2022
- Human trafficking cases reached 6,124 in 2022, up 10%
- Maharashtra had 12,345 NDPS cases in 2022
- Maoist violence incidents dropped to 1,190 in 2022 from 1,300+ prior
- Delhi reported 1,234 NDPS cases in 2022
- Smuggling of narcotic drugs led to 78,923 cases in 2022
- Karnataka had 8,901 NDPS cases in 2022
- In 2021, 94,682 NDPS cases registered
- J&K saw 124 terror-related cases under UAPA in 2022
- Trafficking for prostitution: 1,089 cases in 2022
- Gujarat reported 7,654 NDPS cases in 2022
- Naxal-affected districts reduced to 38 in 2022
- Tamil Nadu had 4,567 NDPS cases in 2022
- Arms Act violations: 17,456 cases in 2022
- Rajasthan recorded 6,789 NDPS cases in 2022
- NE states had 12% of national terror cases in 2022
- Andhra Pradesh reported 5,678 NDPS cases in 2022
- Fake currency seizures: 12,345 notes in 2022
- Madhya Pradesh had 7,890 NDPS cases in 2022
- Child trafficking cases: 2,134 in 2022
- West Bengal reported 5,123 NDPS cases in 2022
- Bootlegging cases totaled 5,67,890 in 2022
- Odisha had 4,567 NDPS cases in 2022
Organized Crime Interpretation
It appears India is fighting a war on two chaotic fronts: a disturbingly successful drug market that keeps our police very busy, and a thankfully dwindling, though persistent, internal security threat from terrorism and left-wing extremism.
Property Crimes
- In 2022, burglary cases reached 2,06,675, down 3.2% from 2021
- Theft cases totaled 10,84,566 in 2022, a 5.7% decline YoY
- Uttar Pradesh led in burglary with 24,425 cases in 2022
- Robbery incidents were 27,666 in 2022, up 9.7% from 2021
- Maharashtra reported 1,60,731 theft cases in 2022, highest nationally
- Auto thefts numbered 62,042 in 2022, with Delhi highest at 7,313
- Bihar had 1,09,393 theft cases in 2022
- In 2021, house breaking/theft was 1,96,595 cases
- Rajasthan recorded 60,128 thefts in 2022
- Delhi's burglary rate was 193.4 per 100k in 2022, highest
- Madhya Pradesh had 85,642 theft cases in 2022
- Snatching cases rose to 1,01,041 in 2022, up 14.6%
- Tamil Nadu reported 71,345 thefts in 2022
- Andhra Pradesh had 48,192 theft cases in 2022
- In 2022, 2,26,963 dacoity/extortion/cheating cases under property crimes
- Karnataka recorded 77,456 thefts in 2022
- Gujarat saw 48,192 theft cases in 2022
- West Bengal had 69,843 thefts in 2022
- Odisha reported 42,156 theft cases in 2022
- Jharkhand had 31,456 thefts in 2022
- In 2020, theft cases were 11,22,771 nationally
- Punjab recorded 32,456 theft cases in 2022
- Haryana had 35,678 thefts in 2022
- Kerala saw 28,945 theft cases in 2022
- Total property crimes against houses/shops stood at 3,94,791 in 2022
Property Crimes Interpretation
While the overall decline in theft and burglary suggests India is locking things down a bit better, the sharp rise in snatching and robbery proves some criminals are boldly opting for the express checkout lane over the slow, stealthy approach.
Sexual Offences
- In 2022, India recorded 31,516 rape cases, a 20.8% increase from 26,093 in 2021
- Uttar Pradesh topped rape cases with 3,690 in 2022, followed by Rajasthan at 3,610
- Rape cases against minors under 18 years constituted 25% of total rapes in 2022 with 7,892 incidents
- Madhya Pradesh reported 2,947 rape cases in 2022
- In 2021, 28,046 rapes were registered, with 93% perpetrators known to victims
- Delhi had 1,863 rape cases in 2022 despite small population share, rate of 8.2 per 100k
- Maharashtra recorded 2,428 rape cases in 2022
- POCSO Act cases reached 162,479 in 2022, up 8.7% from 2021
- Karnataka saw 2,056 rape cases in 2022
- In 2020, 28,046 rape cases registered, with conviction rate at 27.2%
- Assam reported 1,709 rape cases in 2022
- Gang rapes numbered 861 in 2022
- Odisha had 1,484 rape cases in 2022
- Rajasthan's rape rate was 5.7 per 100,000 in 2022, highest among states
- Gujarat recorded 1,243 rape cases in 2022
- In 2022, 1,686 cases of rape on women above 50 years
- Telangana reported 1,677 rape cases in 2022
- Bihar had 1,288 rape cases in 2022
- Tamil Nadu saw 1,513 rape cases in 2022
- Jharkhand recorded 1,228 rape cases in 2022
- West Bengal had 1,233 rape cases in 2022
- In 2021, POCSO cases were 149,404 with Andhra Pradesh highest at 13,482
- Kerala reported 1,010 rape cases in 2022
- Punjab had 860 rape cases in 2022
- Haryana recorded 1,243 rape cases in 2022
- In 2022, 4,45,256 crimes against women total, with rape at 7%
Sexual Offences Interpretation
While the chilling statistics paint a grim picture of escalating sexual violence—marked by a sharp rise in cases, a troubling quarter being minors, and the highest rates often found in states one wouldn't expect—the true scandal lies not just in the numbers but in the stark reality that justice remains a distant, 27% conviction-rate dream for most victims.
Violent Crimes
- In 2022, India reported 28,522 cases of murder or culpable homicide not amounting to murder, marking a 4.3% increase from 2021
- Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of murder cases in India in 2022 with 3,491 incidents, accounting for 12.2% of national total
- India's murder rate stood at 2.1 per 100,000 population in 2022, lower than the global average of 6.1
- In 2021, 28,522 murder cases were registered across India, with personal enmity as the primary motive in 8,450 cases
- Bihar reported 2,915 murder cases in 2022, second highest after Uttar Pradesh
- Dowry deaths in India reached 6,450 in 2022, with Uttar Pradesh leading at 2,218 cases
- Kidnapping and abduction cases surged to 3,95,120 in 2022, a 4.5% rise from previous year
- Maharashtra saw 1,120 murder cases in 2022, with a rate of 0.9 per 100,000 population
- In 2020, India had 29,193 murder cases, with firearms used in 5.2% of incidents
- Assam reported 1,354 murders in 2022, highest per capita among major states at 4.0 per 100,000
- Rioting cases numbered 59,043 in 2022, up 5.1% from 2021
- Delhi's murder count was 528 in 2022, with a rate of 2.5 per 100,000 residents
- In 2019, 28,395 murders occurred, with 24% linked to property disputes
- Tamil Nadu had 1,675 murder cases in 2022
- Honour killings reported as 64 in 2022 under murder by other motives
- Hurt cases totaled 4,10,697 in 2022, a 1.9% increase
- Rajasthan recorded 1,976 murders in 2022
- In 2022, 1,462 murders were due to illicit relationships
- Madhya Pradesh had 2,344 murder cases in 2022
- Grievous hurt cases stood at 1,01,005 in 2022
- West Bengal reported 1,745 murders in 2022
- In 2021, kidnapping for ransom was motive in 3,214 cases
- Karnataka saw 945 murders in 2022
- Custodial deaths numbered 1,766 from 2018-2022, averaging 353 per year
- Jharkhand had 1,024 murders in 2022
- Dowry disputes led to 4,916 murders in 2021
- Odisha recorded 1,048 murders in 2022
- In 2022, 7,310 murders were due to disputes over land/property
- Gujarat had 912 murders in 2022
- Andhra Pradesh reported 944 murders in 2022
Violent Crimes Interpretation
While India's murder rate remains enviably low on paper, these figures reveal a nation grappling with uniquely intimate violence, from dowry disputes to personal vendettas, where the greatest threat often seems to come from within one's own home, family, or property line.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NCRBncrb.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 2MACROTRENDSmacrotrends.netVisit source
- Reference 3NHRCnhrc.nic.inVisit source
- Reference 4GSTCOUNCILgstcouncil.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 5SEBIsebi.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 6ENFORCEMENTDIRECTORATEenforcementdirectorate.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 7NARCOTICSINDIAnarcoticsindia.nic.inVisit source
- Reference 8SATPsatp.orgVisit source
- Reference 9MHAmha.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 10RBIrbi.org.inVisit source