Delhi recorded the highest number of registered crimes among India’s metropolitan cities in 2024, despite witnessing a significant decline in overall cases, according to the latest report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The national capital registered 2,75,402 cognisable offences during the year, maintaining its position at the top among the country’s 19 metro cities.

The figures indicate a decline of nearly 15 per cent from 2023, when Delhi reported more than 3.23 lakh cases. The city’s crime tally accounted for about 4.67 per cent of the total 58.85 lakh cases registered across the country in 2024.

Decline in Cases Fails to Change Delhi’s Position

Although the number of crimes in Delhi fell compared to previous years, the reduction was not sufficient to alter its ranking. Mumbai recorded the second-highest number of cases with 51,428 incidents, far behind Delhi’s total.

According to the NCRB report, Delhi continued to lead metropolitan cities in several categories, including crimes against women, theft, murders, kidnappings and juvenile offences.

The capital registered 13,396 cases of crimes against women in 2024, the highest among all metros.

The report also noted that Delhi recorded the highest crime rate among metropolitan cities, with 1,688 cases per lakh population. However, the city reported a relatively low number of cybercrime cases, with 404 incidents registered during the year.

New Criminal Laws Reflected in the Report

The 2024 edition of the NCRB’s “Crime in India” report is the first to include data under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code on July 1, 2024. New provisions relating to organised crime and petty organised crime have already seen notable activity in Delhi.

Need for Continued Vigilance

While the decline in overall crime figures suggests some improvement in law enforcement and crime prevention, Delhi’s continued dominance in crime statistics highlights the need for sustained efforts to enhance public safety and strengthen the criminal justice system.