The National crime records bureau of India has recently published the statistics related to various crimes in India. According to this report Cyber-crimes have seen growth of only 6% as compared to growth of @15 % in last year. In 2018 reported Cyber-crimes were 27248, in 2019 the cyber-crimes were 44735 and in 2020 cyber-crimes were 50035. In 2021 the total cyber-crimes were 52974. It can be deduced that cyber-crimes saw huge growth of @ 65% in year 2019 whereas in year 2020 growth is only @15%. So, in fact it can be said that Cyber-crimes have gone down by about 50% as compared to its growth rate in last year. In 2021 the growth over previous year was only 6%. It can be seen that consecutively in second year Cyber-crimes have gone down by @50% year to year. This is very appreciable and also a sign that people are becoming more alert and more digital literate and sensible.
This rate of Cyber Crimes registered is a meagre 3.9 % of total Indian Population and chargesheet average rate is 33.8% across India. MP with 91.2 % and Delhi with 90.8 % have done exceptionally well while submitting the charge sheets in court after registration of FIR whereas Odisha 16.2%, Assam 15.9% and Telangana 16.4% needs to improve more along-with Maharashtra with 38.4%, Karnataka with 31.3% and Rajasthan 30%. The charge sheeting represents that investigation is completed and trial can be commenced.
As far as motives behind the cyber-crimes, it is disclosed by NCRB report that total 32230 crimes were related to Fraud, 4555 crimes were related to pornography and 8043 were related to other categories making a whopping 44828 i.e., about 85% of total cyber-crimes reported covered in these 3 categories only. Its high time that digital users be made aware about fraudulent activities as covered under fraud category so as to bring this rate down and save people from falling in traps laid by such cyber criminals.
As regards the statistics of different states are concerned, Uttarakhand 243 to 718 saw 200% growth whereas Telangana 5024 to 10303 and Delhi 168 to 356 saw 100% growth in Cyber-crimes. Assam saw @ 60% growth 3530 to 4846. Satisfactory part is that many states have witnessed negative growth also. 12 states out of 28 states saw negative growth in cyber-crimes and 2 U/T out of 8 saw negative growth as per NCRB report.
Comparative Statistics (2020-2021) of few big states are as below: Andhra 1899 to 1875, Bihar 1512 to 1413 Karnataka 10741 to 8136, Maharashtra 5496 to 5562, Madhya Pradesh 699 to 589 Uttar Pradesh 11097 to 8829 and West Bengal 712 to 513.
The statistics also highlights the Cyber-crimes in 19 Metros of India.
In 2020, total 18657 crimes were registered in Metros whereas in 2021, metros witnessed slight decrease in cyber-crimes with cyber-crimes going down to 17115 i.e., @8% decline. Bangalore retained the top spot with 6423 as compared 8893 last year, followed by Hyderabad, a distant second 3303 (2553 in 2020) and Mumbai catching fast for second position with 2883 (2433 in 2020). Nagpur with 193 crimes (243 in 2020) is at 13th rank as compared to 9”th position in 2020. As compared to last year Nagpur witnessed 20% decline in cyber-crimes and Credit must be given to local police for the same. Mumbai witnessed 20% growth and Pune saw marginal decline of @ 5% in cyber-crimes.
Another interesting statistic about cyber-crimes in Nagpur is that the city has not witnessed a single crime related to credit-debit card fraud, ATM fraud, Online banking fraud, OTP fraud etc. in entire 2021. Out of 192 crimes, the NCRB statistics reveal that 115 crimes were reported under cheating (IPC 420 or fraud category) and @29 crimes were related to cyber stalking or sexual harassment etc. covered u/s 67/67B.
As regards motives behind the crimes are concerned the reports state that in 118 crimes motive was to cheat whereas 30 crimes were committed due to anger and in 18 crimes motive was sexual exploitation.
Being a keen observer of cyberspace since a decade, if these figures are to be believed then the credit must be given to various initiatives of the police and other Organisation for creating CYBER AWARENESS amongst masses.
HOW MUCH TO BELIEVE ON NCRB STATISTICS IS YOUR OWN CHOICE BUT IF NCRB REPORTS SO, THEN YES INDIA IS COUNTRY OF DIGITAL LITERATES!!!!!
Dr. Mahendra Limaye (09422109619)
Cyber Legal and Data Privacy Consultant
