Has the Crime Rate Really Declined Significantly in 2025?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Crime rates in Karnataka have significantly decreased in 2025.
- Notable reductions in serious crimes such as murder and rape.
- Disciplinary actions against 26 police officers for misconduct.
- Cyber crimes have seen a substantial decline.
- Authorities are actively monitoring social media for fraudulent activities.
Belagavi, Dec 19 (NationPress) Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced in the state Assembly on Friday that there has been a remarkable decline in the crime rate throughout Karnataka in 2025.
“The instances of murder, robbery, dacoity, assault, rioting, rape, and crimes against women have significantly decreased this year compared to previous years,” Parameshwara stated while addressing the Assembly.
The Home Minister's remarks were a response to concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, and other leaders, who argued that the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated and expressed worries over police involvement in serious criminal activities.
Parameshwara shared statistical evidence regarding crimes in the state over the past six years.
“In 2019, there were 1589 reported murder cases. This dropped to 1315 in 2020, followed by 1,340 in 2021, 1,365 in 2022, 1,293 in 2023, and 1,208 in 2024. In 2025, the number further decreased to 1,131 cases. For rape, 600 cases were reported in 2023, 632 in 2024, and 517 in 2025,” he elaborated.
Additionally, the Home Minister noted a reduction in sexual harassment cases against women, with reported incidents decreasing from 6,489 in 2023 to 6,334 in 2024, and further to 5,324 in 2025.
“Robbery cases fell from 1,236 in 2023 to 569 in 2025, while cyber crime incidents decreased from 22,255 in 2023 to 13,599,” he mentioned.
He also indicated a slight rise in Pocso cases, which went from 3,900 in 2023 to 4,061 in 2024, and slightly increased to 4,096 in 2025.
The Home Minister revealed that disciplinary actions have been initiated against 26 police officers for their collusion with drug traffickers and their negligence in controlling drug proliferation within their jurisdictions.
“A total of 88 criminal cases involve police personnel and officials. Legal proceedings have commenced against those implicated, and actions are being taken in accordance with the law,” he stated.
Furthermore, he highlighted ongoing departmental actions being pursued against the guilty police personnel under police service regulations.
“We have identified accounts and groups on social media platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and others that were being utilized to sell fraudulent SIM cards and bank accounts to defraud the public,” he added.
As a result of these efforts, 268 Facebook groups, 465 Telegram groups, 15 Instagram accounts, and 61 WhatsApp groups have been deactivated.
Parameshwara emphasized that individuals attempting to disrupt communal harmony on social media are being monitored closely.
Earlier, LoP Ashoka criticized the open sale and transportation of drugs across the state, alleging police involvement in these illegal activities.
“Recent revelations of illegal activities within prisons, especially the access to mobile phones by terrorists and criminals, indicate a severe failure in prison security and suggest police complicity in these unlawful actions,” he asserted.
LoP Ashoka also pointed out that the police's inability to prevent the sale of meat from prohibited animals in Bengaluru, along with the troubling involvement of police personnel in a recent ATM robbery case, signals a grave concern.