Haryana recorded the fourth-highest crime rate in the country in 2023, with 739.3 cases per one lakh population, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. A total of 2.24 lakh cases were registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL), based on a mid-year population estimate of 3.03 crore.

Key findings

Overall crime rate: 739.3 per lakh population (4th-highest in India)

Conviction rate (IPC): 30.9%

Conviction rate (SLL): 59.6%

Crimes against women: 15,758 cases (5th-highest crime rate in India)

1,772 rapes, 131 gangrapes, 207 dowry deaths

5,191 cases of cruelty by husbands/in-laws

Conviction rate: 13.6%

Crimes against children: 6,401 cases (+4.3% from 2022)

2,142 cases under POCSO

Conviction rate: 27.2%

Atrocities against SCs: 352 trials completed; only 68 convictions (19.3%)

The state’s conviction rate under IPC crimes was only 30.9 per cent, while under SLL cases it stood at 59.6 per cent. In 2022, Haryana was ranked third in terms of crime rate.

The highest crime rates were reported in Kerala (1,631.2), Delhi (1,602) and Gujarat (806.3).

Fifth-most unsafe for women

Haryana also ranked fifth in crime rate against women, with 110.3 cases per lakh women. Delhi topped the list with 133.6, followed by Telangana (124.9), Rajasthan (114.8) and Odisha (112.4).

The chargesheet rate in Haryana was only 56 per cent and conviction was abysmally low at 13.6 per cent. Out of 6,006 cases where trials concluded in 2023, only 818 resulted in conviction.

The NCRB data shows nearly five cases of rape were reported every day in Haryana, totalling 1,772 incidents, including 131 gangrapes. On average, nine cases of kidnapping and abduction were recorded daily, amounting to 3,204 cases. There were also nine cases of murder with rape or gangrape of women, 207 dowry deaths, three acid attacks and 5,191 cases of cruelty by husbands or in-laws.

In addition, 788 cases of procuration of minor girls and 103 women-centric cybercrimes were reported. Overall, 15,758 crimes against women were registered in 2023 — a slight decline from 16,743 in 2022.

Sharp rise in crimes against children

Crimes against children rose by 4.3 per cent, with 6,401 cases registered in 2023. These included 312 cases of kidnapping and abduction of minor girls for marriage and 2,142 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Under POCSO, there were 1,377 girl victims and 72 boy victims in cases registered under Sections 4 and 6, which relate to penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault.

The conviction rate in child-related crimes was 27.2 per cent, as 541 convictions were secured out of 1,986 cases where trials were completed.

Low justice in SC atrocities cases

The NCRB data also highlighted poor justice delivery in cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes. Out of 352 cases where trials concluded, only 68 ended in conviction — a conviction rate of just 19.3 per cent.

In as many as 1,529 cases disposed of by police in 2023, 702 (45.9 per cent) were declared “false”.