Kidnappings rise, murder cases decline: 2017 NCRB data

Over 50 lakh cases of cognizable crimes were registered across the country in 2017 -- an increase of 3.6 percent from 2016 when 48 lakh FIRs were lodged, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released on Monday. The annual crime data for 2017 has been released after a delay of more than a year.

Murder cases registered a decline of 5.9 percent in 2017. As many as 28,653 killings were recorded in 2017, down from 30,450 in 2016, the NCRB report said. 'Disputes' (7,898 cases) were the motive in the maximum number of murder cases, followed by 'personal vendetta or enmity' (4,660) and 'gain' (2,103), it stated.

Cases of kidnapping and abduction saw a 9 percent increase in 2017, with 95,893 cases registered against 88,008 in 2016. "A total of 1,00,555 (23,814 male and 76,741 female) victims were reported kidnapped or abducted, out of which 56,622 (14,296 male and 42,326 female) victims were children and 43,933 (9,518 male and 34,415 female) victims were adults during 2017," the data stated.

The NCRB data showed 9,89,071 cases of offenses affecting the human body, including 1,42,794 cases of death by negligence and 86,001 of assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty, were registered. The NCRB, under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code and special and local laws in the country.