Crime Cases Surge in Cyberabad in 2024
The Cyberabad Police Commissionerate reported a significant rise in crime during 2024, registering 37,689 cases compared to 22,859 cases in 2023. This marks a 64% increase in the overall crime rate. Cybercrimes saw a drastic surge, with 11,914 cases registered this year, up from 5,361 cases last year.
Presenting the annual report, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty stated that cybercrime alone accounted for a 32% share of all registered cases. Economic crimes also saw a steep rise, jumping from 1,551 cases in 2023 to 2,140 cases in 2024. Similarly, property-related crimes increased to 4,681 cases, compared to 2,904 in the previous year. Dowry harassment cases went up by 30%, with 1,343 cases reported in 2024 compared to 1,030 in 2023.
Free FIR Registration Boosts Case Numbers
Commissioner Mohanty highlighted that the police adopted a free registration of FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), leading to 14,250 FIRs being registered by November 2024. He noted, “With free registrations, there is an increase in the number of cases.”
Cybercrime Losses Cross Rs 793 Crore
Cybercrime victims in Cyberabad lost a staggering Rs 793 crore in 2024, compared to Rs 269 crore in 2023. However, the police managed to refund Rs 70 crore to victims. According to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), 5,046 cybercrime cases were reported from the city, while the Cyberabad police received an additional 7,324 direct petitions.
Trading fraud emerged as the costliest cybercrime, with victims losing Rs 338 crore across 1,686 cases. Other major categories included part-time job frauds (Rs 173 crore lost in 3,267 cases), smishing frauds (Rs 18 crore in 1,276 cases), and digital arrest frauds (Rs 80 crore in 1,002 cases).
Economic Offences and Drug Seizures
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered 90 cases and arrested 203 individuals in 2024. The EOW froze Rs 30.77 crore in illicit funds. Under the NDPS Act, the police registered 421 cases, arrested 954 individuals, and seized 2,714 kg of narcotic substances worth Rs 24.92 crore. Drugs worth Rs 19 crore were also disposed of.
Road Accidents Decline Slightly
Road accidents in Cyberabad saw a modest 5% decline in 2024, with 805 accidents resulting in 842 fatalities. Bikers accounted for the highest number of deaths at 465, followed by 261 pedestrian fatalities. The police also blocked 69,554 IMEIs under the CEIR initiative and returned 7,967 stolen or lost mobile phones to their owners.
SHE Teams and Women’s Safety Initiatives
The Cyberabad SHE Teams conducted 3,891 awareness programs in 2024, reaching 1,68,902 people. They received 1,135 petitions through various channels, registered 81 FIRs, booked 1,613 petty cases, and counselled 1,633 respondents.
The SHE Teams caught 1,470 people red-handed and prevented nine child marriages. Additionally, 105 cases were registered under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA), rescuing 189 victims and arresting 270 offenders. Seventeen foreigners involved in prostitution were deported.
Rescue Operations and Support for Women
Under Operation Smile and Muskaan, the Cyberabad police rescued 1,507 children and registered 541 FIRs. Special operations on street prostitution led to 16 cases and 76 arrests. The Centre for Development and Empowerment of Women (CDEW) received 1,895 petitions and provided counselling to 5,738 individuals.
Commissioner Mohanty reiterated the department’s commitment to addressing rising crime and ensuring the safety of citizens through proactive measures and community engagement.
