Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly two lakh women and children — 1,95,441 to be precise — were victims of crimes registered in Kerala over the past decade. Courts acquitted more than 47,000 accused in these cases, but the state chose not to challenge almost all of those acquittals in higher courts, according to home department data for the period from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2026.According to figures tabled in the assembly, Kerala recorded 1,58,406 crimes against women and 37,035 crimes against children under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act over the decade. These offences claimed 1,261 lives — 918 women and 343 children. Given that many such crimes go unreported because of social stigma, fear or family pressure, the actual number of offences during the period is likely to have been higher.The data point to a worrying trend in judicial outcomes. While courts convicted 13,100 accused — 9,403 in crimes against women and 3,697 in Pocso cases — they acquitted 47,266 accused, including 30,413 in crimes against women and 16,853 in Pocso cases. The number of acquittals was more than three times that of convictions.The state’s response to these acquittals was equally striking. It did not challenge the acquittals in higher courts in 30,204 cases involving crimes against women and 16,636 Pocso cases, a total of 46,840 cases.“It is difficult to believe that the state chose not to appeal in most cases in which the accused were acquitted of crimes against women and children. Ordinarily, if a victim consistently stands by her complaint, the prosecution would challenge the acquittal before a higher court. These figures warrant serious scrutiny and call for a thorough review of the state’s policy on appeals, particularly at a time when governments repeatedly stress their commitment to the safety of women and children,” former DGP Vinson M Paul said.The district-wise data reveal wide regional variations. Malappuram recorded the highest number of crimes against women (17,825 cases) during the decade, and also topped the state in crimes against children (4,311 cases). Thiruvananthapuram Rural followed with 13,929 crimes against women and 3,419 crimes against children.Malappuram also recorded the highest number of convictions in both categories, with 1,353 convictions in crimes against women and 353 in Pocso cases. At the same time, it reported the highest number of acquittals as well, with 3,182 accused acquitted in crimes against women and 2,413 in Pocso cases.Thiruvananthapuram Rural recorded the highest number of women killed (93) during the period, while Malappuram reported the highest number of child victims (57). Other districts that consistently reported a high incidence of such crimes included Ernakulam Rural, Palakkad, Kozhikode Rural and Thrissur City.On average, the state registered more than 53 crimes against women and children every day during the decade. Yet, for every accused convicted, more than three were acquitted — and in nearly all such cases, the state chose not to appeal.
