Ranchi: The state recorded an 8% decline in crimes against women in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report but continued to rank higher in several heinous crimes like rape, dowry-related offences and illegal procurement of children.According to NCRB data, different crimes against women in Jharkhand fell from 6,989 in 2023 to 6,367 in 2024.The report placed Jharkhand among the states with the lowest overall crime rate against women. In 2024, the state recorded 32.5 incidents per 1 lakh population, the fourth-lowest in the country, against the national average of 64.6. Only Nagaland with 5.1, Manipur with 12, and Gujarat with 22, reported lower rates.Despite the overall decline, the state’s performance under specific crimes remains a matter of concern.Jharkhand recorded 1,073 rape cases in 2024. The rate of rape cases stood at 5.5 per 1 lakh population, making it the ninth highest in the country and above the national average of 4.2. NCRB data showed that in 98.5% of these cases, the accused were known to the survivors.The state also figured among the top three in procuration of child under Section 96 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to punishment under the provision, anyone inducing a child to go from any place or do any act, knowing it is likely the child will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person, can face imprisonment of up to 10 years.Jharkhand registered 360 such cases, with a crime rate of 1.6 per 1 lakh of population. The national average in this category was 0.2 per lakh. Only Haryana with 5.1 and Assam with 1.9 recorded worse rates.The state also posted the fourth highest crime rate under the Dowry Prohibition Act at 5.6 per 1 lakh. Uttarakhand with 9.8, Bihar with 6.1 and Karnataka with 5.9, ranked above Jharkhand. In all, the state recorded 1,101 dowry related crimes.An inspector general-rank officer said, “The state has a multi-layered system to prevent crime against women. Investigation of cases is monitored regularly and the filing of chargesheets is also high. ‘Dial 112’ helpline is also functional to aid women under threat.”
