R. Ashoka, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, on Thursday, 21 May launched a sharp attack on the state government, alleging it was prioritising real estate expansion in neighbouring districts over law and order in Bengaluru. Ashoka claimed that the Congress-led administration's fixation on attaching the Bengaluru tag to districts like Tumakuru and Ramanagara had come at the direct cost of public safety in the state capital.

Crime Statistics Cited

Ashoka cited a series of figures to press his case. He alleged that Bengaluru ranked second among Indian metropolitan cities in murder cases, with 176 murder cases registered in 2024. He further alleged that 4,748 cases of atrocities against women — including 16 gang rape cases — had been recorded in the city, describing the trend as deeply alarming.

On cyber crime, Ashoka claimed Bengaluru had effectively become the 'cyber crime capital' of the country, with 17,561 cyber crime cases registered in a single year. He alleged that narcotic substances worth ₹98.69 crore — including ganja and heroin — had been seized, yet the drug mafia continued to operate with impunity.

Vulnerable Groups Under Threat, Says BJP

The BJP leader alleged that even senior citizens were not spared, with 671 cases targeting elderly persons registered in the city. He also flagged a sharp rise in juvenile crime, stating that cases involving juveniles climbed from 200 in 2022 to 427 in 2023, with 386 cases already on record in 2024. Ashoka described these trends as evidence of a systemic breakdown in policing and governance.

Attack on 'Brand Bengaluru' and Government Priorities

Ashoka directly challenged the government's 'Sadhana Samavesha' celebrations, questioning whether the crime data represented its vision of 'Brand Bengaluru'. 'As a result, our proud Silicon City has turned into a crime city. The capital of innovation is becoming the capital of crimes,' he alleged. He argued that if even 'half the interest' shown in real estate development around Bengaluru had been directed toward law enforcement, the city's safety situation would look markedly different.

He specifically targeted Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging both were more focused on real estate gains in Tumakuru and Ramanagara than on policing the capital. 'The government has lost the moral right to continue in power,' Ashoka said, calling the removal of the Congress government essential for protecting Bengaluru's dignity, safety, and future.

Context and What Comes Next

The BJP's offensive comes as the Karnataka government faces mounting scrutiny over urban governance in Bengaluru, India's technology hub and one of its fastest-growing cities. This is not the first time the opposition has raised law-and-order concerns, but Thursday's statement is notable for the volume of specific crime figures cited — all attributed to Ashoka's own statement and not independently verified by authorities at the time of reporting. The Congress government is yet to formally respond to the allegations. How the ruling party addresses these claims — particularly the cyber crime and women's safety data — will be closely watched ahead of the next legislative session.