SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 68 cases of cyber crimes against women in 2023, up from 39 cases each in 2021 and 2022, with a crime rate of 1.0 per lakh population, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha.
The figures, sourced from the National Crime Records Bureau and cited by Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, indicate a rising trend in such offences in the Union Territory, even as it remains below the national average crime rate of 2.9 per lakh in 2023.
In NCRB terminology, “CR” refers to the absolute number of cases registered (Crime Registered), while “CRate” denotes the crime rate, calculated as the number of cases per one lakh population, allowing comparison across regions with different population sizes.
At the national level, cyber crimes against women have increased sharply, rising from 10,730 cases in 2021 to 19,510 in 2023, with the crime rate climbing from 1.6 to 2.9 per lakh.
Among major states, Karnataka reported the highest number of cases at 7,002 in 2023, followed by Maharashtra (2,502), Uttar Pradesh (1,463) and Telangana (1,447). Telangana also recorded one of the highest crime rates at 7.6 per lakh.
In contrast, West Bengal reported 176 cases with a relatively low crime rate of 0.4 per lakh.
Bihar, which saw a sharp jump in cyber crime cases against women from 84 in 2022 to 644 in 2023, recorded a crime rate of 1.1 per lakh. Separately, the state reported 4,941 cases of kidnapping and abduction of women and girls to compel marriage in 2023, the highest in the country, with a crime rate of 8.1 per lakh women.
The Ministry reiterated that “police” and “public order” are State subjects, with primary responsibility for prevention, detection and investigation of such crimes resting with State and Union Territory law enforcement agencies.
However, the Centre supports states through policy frameworks, capacity building and national platforms for cybercrime reporting and coordination to address the growing threat of online offences targeting women.
