Crime against women shows mixed trend in Rachakonda

Crime against women in the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate showed mixed trends in 2025, with a decline in major offences like rape and domestic violence, even as molestation, kidnapping and POCSO cases recorded an increase, officials said

Hyderabad: Crime against women cases have shown mixed trends, with a notable decline in several major offence categories, even as the overall crime rate registered a marginal increase of four per cent in the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate during 2025.

According to official figures announced on Monday, major crimes against women declined by 25 per cent, dropping from 1,704 cases in 2024 to 1,194 cases in 2025.

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Harassment and domestic violence cases saw the sharpest decline, falling from 1,222 cases in 2024 to 782 in 2025, while rape cases reduced from 384 to 330 and abetment to suicide cases decreased from 61 to 52. Murders of women dipped marginally from 19 to 18 cases.

Meanwhile, dowry murders doubled from three cases in 2024 to six in 2025, even as dowry deaths declined from 18 to 12 during the same period.

In contrast, other categories of crimes against women recorded an increase. Molestation cases rose sharply from 561 to 809, while kidnapping cases stood at 233. On the other hand, POCSO cases involving minors increased from 392 to 516.

Overall, the total number of crimes under these categories increased from 1,186 to 1,804 cases, contributing to the four per cent rise in overall crime against women.

Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu said data on rape cases indicated that most victims knew the accused. Of the reported cases, 70 involved friends, 37 family members, 35 neighbours and 184 others, while four cases were classified as false allegations.

“While the reduction in core offences is encouraging, rising cases of sexual offences and crimes against children remain a serious concern. Major crimes have reduced, but there are technical kidnapping and POCSO cases being reported. In most cases, they are turning out to be elopements,” he said.