Mumbai: While Mumbai ranks second in recording the highest number of criminal cases, it is way behind Delhi, which has recorded three times more criminal cases than Mumbai and tops the chart despite its population being lesser.
Data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which has carried out a comparative study of crime rate in 55 big cities of India, also revealed that crimes such cyber offences, murder and robbery increased in Mumbai in 2014 as compared to 2013.
Mumbai had seen a steep rise in crimes against women. There was a 55 per cent increase in rape cases and 67 per cent increase in cases of outraging of women’s modesty in 2014 as compared to 2013. Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria had mentioned crimes against women as his top priority and reiterated that a major reason for the steep rise is because of his order to ensure free and fair registration of FIRs at all the police stations.
However, a closer look at the statistics reveal that the Mumbai police deals with a population of 181.1 lakh, the most populated city, followed by Delhi city, which has having a population of 163.1 lakh. Despite this, about 40,361 crimes have been registered in Mumbai i.e. 6.5 per cent of India’s crimes, while in Delhi, 1,39,707 crimes were registered i.e. 22.7 per cent.
When asked how the Mumbai police manages to curb crime as compared to Delhi, additional commissioner, south region, P. Dighavkar said, “Preventive action like visible street policing, organised nakabandis, combing operations, tracking of persons with criminal records, help curb crime. Also important are drives against drug addicts, effective enforcement of MCOCA, beat system, proper delegation, decentralisation and hard working constabulary.”
