Delhi sees nearly 15% drop in crime in 2024, NCRB data shows

Delhi recorded a significant decline in overall crime in 2024, with registered cases falling by 15.07% compared to the previous year, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released on May 6.

The national capital registered 2,75,402 criminal cases in 2024, down from 3,24,257 cases in 2023, as per NCRB figures cited in official reporting. The data reflects a broad category of cognisable offences recorded under both the Indian Penal Code framework and the updated criminal law system.

The NCRB report also highlights that Delhi’s crime rate per lakh population stood at 1,258.5. The crime rate is calculated as the number of registered cases per 100,000 people and is used to compare crime levels across states and cities with varying populations.

Alongside the decline in total cases, the chargesheeting rate in Delhi stood at 31.9% in 2024. This indicates the proportion of registered cases in which police formally filed charges in court after investigation. The figure remains a key indicator of investigative completion within the criminal justice system.

The report further shows that crimes against children in Delhi slightly declined in 2024. A total of 7,662 cases were registered, compared to 7,769 cases in 2023. Despite the marginal drop, Delhi continued to report the highest number of crimes against children among Union Territories.

In terms of classification, NCRB data includes offences ranging from violent crimes such as murder and assault to property-related offences and special and local law violations. It also incorporates cases registered under India’s newly implemented criminal codes, reflecting the ongoing transition in legal reporting systems.

The NCRB data also notes that Delhi recorded 1,36,669 cases under the Indian Penal Code and 1,38,733 cases under special and local laws in 2024. This dual categorisation reflects the shift in India’s criminal justice framework following the introduction of new criminal laws, with both old and new legal provisions running in parallel during the reporting period.

Delhi has consistently remained one of the highest-reporting regions for cognisable crimes among metropolitan cities, driven in part by higher reporting rates, urban density and expanded policing coverage.

The NCRB data, however, does not independently establish reasons behind the decline in 2024, and no causal factors have been specified in the report. Authorities continue to analyse trends across categories such as violent crime, property crime and crimes against vulnerable groups.