Delhi Tops NCRB Data in Child Crimes

Delhi recorded the highest number of crimes against children and crimes committed by juveniles in the 2024 National Crime Records Bureau data. The city registered 7,662 cases of crimes against children and 2,306 cases of crimes by juveniles in metropolitan cities during the year.

Crimes Against Children in Delhi

Crimes against children are recorded under the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and other special laws. Delhi reported 7,662 such cases in 2024, compared with 7,769 cases in 2023 and 7,468 cases in 2022. The crime rate against children in Delhi stood at 138.4 cases per lakh child population in 2024. This rate was more than three times the national average of 42.3 cases per lakh child population.

Kidnapping and Abduction Cases

Kidnapping and abduction formed the largest share of crimes against children in Delhi in 2024, with 5,404 cases. Mumbai recorded 1,831 such cases and Bengaluru recorded 1,136 cases in the same year. Kidnapping and abduction are covered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 from 1 July 2024.

Juvenile Crime Data

Delhi also recorded the highest number of crimes committed by juveniles among metropolitan cities in 2024. The city reported 2,306 cases, compared with 2,278 cases in 2023. The juvenile crime rate in Delhi was about 42 Child in Conflict with the Law cases per one lakh minors in 2024. Theft accounted for 526 cases, snatching for 217 cases, and attempt to murder for 210 cases.

Important Facts for Exams

• The National Crime Records Bureau functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and publishes annual crime statistics for India.
• Delhi is a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly and a special constitutional status under Article 239AA.
• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 is the main law for sexual offences against children in India.
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 governs children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection.

Juvenile Apprehensions in Delhi

Delhi apprehended 3,270 juveniles in 2024, and 1,672 of them had education levels between primary and matric. The NCRB uses the term Child in Conflict with the Law for persons below 18 years involved in offences under the Juvenile Justice framework.