Delhi lags behind in filing chargesheets, is lowest among metro cities

Delhi has once again recorded the lowest chargesheeting rate among the top 19 metropolitan cities, with only 32.7% of all cases resulting in a chargesheet, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. This marks a further decline from 2022, when the Capital reported a rate of 34.1%.

Far below national and metro averages

The chargesheeting rate in Delhi is well below the national average of 80.1%, and about 26% lower than the metropolitan city average of 61.9%. Kochi led the charts with a rate of 98.9%, followed by Surat (97.6%) and Kozhikode (96%).

Mixed record under different laws

The national capital has performed strongly in chargesheeting cases under Special Local Laws, with 98.4% of cases resulting in chargesheets. However, its performance under the Indian Penal Code remains the weakest among metros, at just 28.7%.

In comparison, NCRB’s 2022 report recorded Delhi’s Special Local Laws rate at 98.2%, while its Indian Penal Code rate stood slightly higher at 30.2%.

Poor performance in violent crimes

When it comes to violent crimes, Delhi’s chargesheeting rate is just above that of Jaipur, which is the lowest-performing metro at 39%. Delhi managed a rate of 47.8%, buoyed by a high chargesheeting rate in murder cases, where 96.3% of incidents resulted in chargesheets.

Yet the city fared poorly in kidnapping and abduction cases, with only 6.6% chargesheeting. Only Bengaluru (3.8%) and Surat (4.7%) reported worse outcomes in this category.

Conviction and pendency rates

Metropolitan cities recorded a high overall conviction rate of 74.8%. Among these, 70.7% of Special Local Laws cases that went to trial resulted in convictions, while Indian Penal Code cases saw a conviction rate of 78.1%.

Pendency, however, remains a major issue in Delhi’s courts. As of 2023, 85.3% of Indian Penal Code cases and 90.7% of Special Local Laws cases were still awaiting trial.

Rising crime rate in the capital

Delhi also recorded the second-highest crime rate for cognisable offences among metropolitan cities in 2023, with 2,105.3 cases per lakh population. Kochi led with 3,192.4 cases per lakh.

Also Read: Delhi tops crime charts among metros, vulnerable groups hit hardest

The capital reported 503 murder cases in 2023, the highest among metros, with most killings linked to personal disputes and petty quarrels. The NCRB data showed an upward trend in murder cases over the last three years—454 in 2021, 502 in 2022, and 503 in 2023.

Disputes driving killings

Of the 503 murders in 2023, personal disputes accounted for 242 cases, petty quarrels for 115, and family conflicts for 59. Enmity or personal vendetta led to 89 killings, while property and money-related issues were behind 46 cases.

In total, Delhi recorded 3,24,257 cognisable crimes in 2023, spanning both Indian Penal Code and Special Local Laws cases.