Crimes against children surge in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala: NCRB data

According to the latest data of the National Crime Registration Bureau, the sharpest increase in crime cases against children in 2023 was recorded in three states (Assam, Rajasthan and Kerala).

Crime cases against children in Assam increased by almost 100 %; Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 5,100 cases increased to 10,000 in 2023. In Kerala, this number increased by 106 %; Between 2018 and 2022, an average of more than 2,800 cases increased to over 5,900 in 2023. In Rajasthan, this number increased by 70 %from an average of 6,200 cases between 2018 and 2018. More than 10,500 cases from 2022 to 2023.

Compared, general crime against children in India increased by 25 %in this period. The following map shows a percentage change in criminal cases committed in 2023 compared to the average number of cases recorded between 2018 and 2022. Although these three states come to the fore, the reasons for the increase in each of them vary significantly.

In Assem, a record -level pressure on child marriages led to a sharp increase in the number of lawsuits filed within the scope of the Law on the Prohibition of 2006 Child Marriage. Looking closely at Assam’s crime data against children, it is seen that this increase was almost entirely due to the intervention of state -led. Between 2020 and 2022, approximately 150 cases were recorded in Assem within the scope of the law of prohibiting child marriage; This number increased to 5,267 in 2023. That year, the lawsuits about marriage at a child made up about 52 %of all the crimes committed against children in the state; As shown in the graph below, the rate of 3-4 %in the previous years showed a dramatic increase.

Rajasthan seems to have caused two main factors. The first of these is the sudden change of the categorization of crimes against children from non -Pocso parts to certain PocSO provisions. Pocso refers to the Law on the Protection of Sexual Crimes of Children of 2012. In 2021 and 2022, more than 2,700 cases were filed separately within the scope of the rape provision (Article 376 of the Indian Penal Code). However, in 2022 and 2023, no lawsuit was filed independently within the scope of this department; Instead, a corresponding increase in the cases recorded within the scope of the relevant POCSO provision took place. The lawsuits filed under the 4th and 6th part of the PocSO Law, which is read by Article 376 of the IPC, increased from only three to 2022 and 2023 in 2021 and 2022 in 2022 and 2022, as shown in the graph below. This change, which was only seen throughout the country, was mostly evident in Rajasthan, from the provisions of the IPC to apply to the relevant departments of the POCSO Law.

It should be noted that the more accurate classification of rape cases to children has taken place in Rajasthan with a real increase in such crimes with a real increase from approximately 2,700 cases to 3,500 cases. However, it is a clear question whether this increase arises from the right classification or the actual increase in crimes.

Secondly, there was a sharp increase in cases of kidnapping and abduction of children. In Rajasthan, the lawsuits filed under various departments related to the kidnapping and abduction of children increased sharply; The share of crimes against children in total increased over 54 %in 2023; As shown in the graph below, a rapid increase.

There was an increase in Pocso cases in Kerala. As shown in the graph below, it is seen that this increase is partially linked to the more accurate classification of crimes under certain POCSO sections and is accompanied by the increase in the cases reported.

In particular, it is important to point out that the increase in cases containing crimes against children may indicate that reporting has improved rather than a real increase in the incidence of such crimes.

Data on graphics were received from the National Crime Registration Office (NCRB) from 2020 to 2023.

Devyanshi.b@thehindu.co.in