Rajasthan crime falls in Jan–Sep 2026: murder, POCSO, robbery all down
Synopsis
Rajasthan's crime figures for January–September 2026 show a broad-based decline — fewer murders, fewer POCSO cases, fewer robberies — even as NDPS Act registrations surged 35% on the back of intensified enforcement. The nuanced picture: domestic dispute cases are rising, which police attribute to more women coming forward to report abuse.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan recorded 1,45,781 IPC/BNS cases in January–September 2026 , down 1,753 from 1,47,534 in the same period of 2025.
Murder cases fell by 23 and attempted murder by 174 year-on-year.
POCSO Act cases dropped by 478 (19.20%) ; rape by 356 (7.96%) ; molestation by 603 (7.38%) .
Dacoity fell 19.67% , robbery 16.40% , and burglary 4.63% .
NDPS Act cases surged 35.13% (up 1,815 ), attributed to intensified enforcement.
Domestic abuse and dowry cases rose from 9,979 to 10,562 ; police cite greater willingness to report as a key factor.
Rajasthan recorded a decline in total registered criminal cases during the first nine months of 2026, with reductions in murder, attempted murder, property-related offences, and several crimes against women and children, according to state police data. Overall cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) fell from 1,47,534 in January–September 2025 to 1,45,781 in the corresponding period of 2026 — a net decline of 1,753 cases.
Key Declines Across Crime Categories
The state police data shows 23 fewer murder cases and 174 fewer attempted murder cases compared with the same nine-month window last year. Property-related offences also registered notable falls: dacoity declined by 19.67%, robbery by 16.40%, and burglary by 4.63%. Officials attributed the improvements to sustained surveillance, regular patrolling, and targeted enforcement measures across the state.
Crimes Against Women and Children Show Improvement
Cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act declined by 478, or 19.20%. Rape cases fell by 356, down 7.96%, and molestation cases dropped by 603, a reduction of 7.38%. The Rajasthan Police highlighted initiatives such as Kalika Units, Anti-Romeo Squads, and dedicated women's safety programmes as contributing factors in curbing harassment and improving public safety for women.
Rise in Domestic Disputes and Special Law Cases
Not all categories trended downward. Cases involving domestic abuse, dowry demands, and family-related disputes rose from 9,979 in 2025 to 10,562 in 2026. Police officials said greater public awareness and increased willingness among women to report abuse may be driving the uptick in registrations — a signal of improving institutional trust rather than a worsening situation, according to the department.
Registrations under local and special laws also rose, from 65,753 in 2025 to 70,035 in 2026, an increase of 4,282 cases. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act saw the sharpest jump — up 1,815 cases or 35.13% — followed by the Arms Act (538 additional cases, up 10.17%) and the Excise Act (908 additional cases, up 4.92%). The police maintain these increases reflect intensified enforcement rather than a surge in underlying criminal activity, though registration numbers alone do not establish the actual extent of offences.
SC/ST Atrocity Cases and Support Infrastructure
Cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act declined by 954, a reduction of 15.47% compared with the corresponding period in 2025. To support vulnerable groups, Women's Safety and Counselling Centres are operating at one police station in each police circle across Rajasthan, providing assistance, legal guidance, and counselling services.
What the Numbers Mean Going Forward
The Rajasthan Police Headquarters and the state government have reiterated their commitment to preventing crimes against women, ensuring prompt complaint response, and pursuing effective legal action against those found responsible. While the headline trend is positive, the simultaneous rise in domestic complaints and special-law cases underscores that enforcement momentum and public awareness outreach must be sustained. The next quarterly data release will be closely watched to determine whether these trends hold through the full calendar year.
Point of View
But it needs careful unpacking. A 35% jump in NDPS Act cases almost certainly reflects enforcement intensity rather than a sudden narcotics wave — and the state deserves credit for that. More telling is the rise in domestic and dowry complaints: when more women file cases, that is a system working better, not worse. The harder question is whether the fall in POCSO and rape registrations reflects genuine safety gains or softer reporting at the grassroots level — a distinction that state data alone cannot resolve, and one that independent monitoring bodies should examine before the annual figures are cited as a policy success.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did overall crime fall in Rajasthan in 2026?
Rajasthan registered 1,45,781 cases under the IPC and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in January–September 2026, compared with 1,47,534 in the same period of 2025 — a decline of 1,753 cases, according to state police data.
Which crimes against women and children saw the biggest drop?
POCSO Act cases fell by 478 (down 19.20%), rape cases by 356 (down 7.96%), and molestation cases by 603 (down 7.38%) during January–September 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Why did NDPS Act cases rise sharply in Rajasthan?
NDPS Act registrations rose by 1,815 cases — a 35.13% increase — which the Rajasthan Police attributes to intensified enforcement rather than a genuine surge in drug offences. The police note that higher registration numbers under special laws reflect proactive action by enforcement agencies.
Why are domestic abuse cases rising if overall crime is falling?
Cases of domestic abuse, dowry demands, and family disputes rose from 9,979 in 2025 to 10,562 in 2026. The Rajasthan Police says greater public awareness and increased willingness among women to report abuse are contributing to the uptick, suggesting improved institutional trust rather than a worsening situation on the ground.
What steps is Rajasthan Police taking to protect women?
The Rajasthan Police has deployed Kalika Units, Anti-Romeo Squads, and Women's Safety and Counselling Centres at one police station per police circle across the state. These units provide counselling, legal guidance, and direct assistance to women facing harassment, domestic violence, or family disputes.
