Telangana crime rises 7.15 pc in three years; narcotics, organised crime cases surge

Hyderabad, Aug 28 (TNT): The overall number of crimes registered in Telangana increased by 7.15 per cent over the three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26, while grave crimes declined by 10.33 per cent, according to data presented at the half-yearly crime review meeting chaired by Director General of Police C V Anand here on Friday.

The number of total cases increased from 2,65,377 in 2023-24 to 2,84,363 in 2025-26, while the crime rate per lakh population rose from 481.58 to 491.59.

Narcotics cases registered a 46.10 per cent increase, rising from 2,026 to 2,960 during the period. Organised crime cases increased sharply from 25 to 451, while traffic-related crime rose by 9.48 per cent from 29,130 to 31,891 cases.

Cybercrime and economic offences, however, declined during the period. Cybercrime cases fell from 25,373 to 22,000, a decline of 13.29 per cent, while economic offences dropped from 37,690 to 32,684, down 13.28 per cent.

At the meeting, Anand directed police officers to adhere strictly to professional standards in crime investigation and policing. He said crime reviews should go beyond statistics and analyse the causes of crimes, modus operandi of offenders, quality of investigation and disposal of cases.

The DGP said special focus had been placed on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), with the data update rate improving from 70-80 per cent earlier to 96 per cent.

He stressed the importance of monthly crime reviews and directed officers to ensure basic policing practices at the field level. Zonal DIGs and Multi-Zone IGs were asked to examine inspection notes and ensure prompt action on issues identified during district tours and police station inspections.

Grave crimes decline 10.33 pc

Grave crimes declined from 7,019 cases in 2024-25 to 6,294 in 2025-26, a reduction of 10.33 per cent. The crime rate also fell from 11.21 to 10.88 per lakh population.

Hyderabad recorded a 26.23 per cent decline in grave crimes, with cases falling from 1,483 to 1,094. Cyberabad cases declined from 656 to 613 and Malkajgiri from 664 to 549.

However, grave crimes increased in Mulugu, Nirmal and Adilabad, with cases rising from 44 to 88, 66 to 102 and 96 to 140 respectively.

Non-grave crimes rise 7.28 pc

Non-grave crimes increased from 2,59,201 cases in 2023-24 to 2,78,069 in 2025-26, a rise of 7.28 per cent.

Future City recorded a 23.70 per cent increase, followed by Cyberabad at 17.32 per cent and Malkajgiri at 13.53 per cent. Hyderabad registered a 2.77 per cent decline.

Among districts, Komaram Bheem Asifabad recorded a 70.88 per cent increase and Adilabad 60.71 per cent. Medak, Sangareddy, Nalgonda and Narayanpet also recorded increases.

Narcotics cases up 46.10 pc

Narcotics cases increased from 2,026 in 2023-24 to 2,960 in 2025-26, with the crime rate rising from 3.68 to 5.12 per lakh population.

Cyberabad recorded a 90.98 per cent increase, while Warangal registered a 142.31 per cent rise. Among districts, Adilabad cases increased from 57 to 219, Nizamabad from 62 to 123, with significant increases also reported in Narayanpet, Mahabubnagar and Jogulamba Gadwal.

Crimes against women, children marginally decline

Cases involving crimes against women and children declined 1.54 per cent from 31,593 in 2024-25 to 31,108 in 2025-26. However, the number remained 3.81 per cent higher than in 2023-24.

Cases declined in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Warangal, while Future City recorded an increase from 790 to 994 cases.

Traffic crime rises

Traffic-related crime increased 9.48 per cent over three years, from 29,130 cases in 2023-24 to 31,891 in 2025-26.

Cyberabad cases increased from 2,882 to 3,677 and Malkajgiri from 3,213 to 3,673. Komaram Bheem Asifabad recorded a sharp 624.03 per cent increase, with cases rising from 154 to 1,115. Nirmal recorded a 67.92 per cent rise, Nalgonda 34.37 per cent and Adilabad 28.30 per cent.

During the review, Anand directed officers to ensure timely updating of data on digital policing portals and appreciated units that maintained accurate and timely records.

Presentations were made on AI-based policing applications, CCTNS, TG-COP, Hawkeye and other digital platforms. The meeting also reviewed implementation of the new criminal laws, the Interoperable Criminal Justice System, cybercrime initiatives, EAGLE and the functioning and workload of the Forensic Science Laboratory.

Young IPS officers presented technology-driven policing initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and public service delivery.

Financial and budgetary matters, police housing and infrastructure requirements, operational issues, and the rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists were also discussed.

Anand asked senior officers to align their priorities with the crime profile of their respective units and maintain close field-level supervision. He said effective policing required strong basic policing, timely analysis of data, technology-driven interventions and sustained supervision.

DG (Law and Order) Mahesh Bhagwat, CSB Director Shikha Goel, DG Women Safety and CID Charu Sinha, EAGLE Director Sandeep Shandilya, police commissioners, district Superintendents of Police and other senior police officers attended the meeting.

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