Lucknow: The rate of crime against women in 2024 was the second highest in Lucknow among 19 cities with population of 20 lakh and above, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released recently.Lucknow recorded 2,571 cases of crimes against women under IPC/BNS and Special & Local Laws (SLL), while the total number of victims stood at 2,728. The city registered a crime rate of 186.3 cases per lakh women population. This means roughly one case was reported every three-and-a-half-hour.Only Jaipur reported a higher crime rate at 199.6 per lakh women population. Lucknow was ahead of cities like Indore (181.2), Delhi (176.7), and Kanpur (145.5). The city’s crime rate was nearly double the average of 93.5 recorded across all 19 cities.Among UP cities, Lucknow recorded a significantly higher crime against women rate than Ghaziabad (115 cases per lakh women) and Kanpur (145.5).In terms of absolute numbers, nationally, Delhi recorded the highest 13,396 cases followed by Mumbai (6,358) and Bengaluru (4,748).Lucknow also recorded highest domestic violence and dowry-related crimes with 1,446 cases of cruelty by husband or relatives. The crime rate was 104.6 per lakh women in this category. This means, nearly four women approached police daily with complaints of harassment and cruelty.In dowry deaths, Kanpur recorded the highest rate (4 per lakh women) with 54 dowry deaths. Lucknow was a distant sixth with 22 cases, while Delhi topped with 111 incidents.‘Greater awareness leading torise in registration of cases’Officials attribute the increase in the number of cases to awareness among women about their rights and easy accessibility to police.“Over the past few years, multiple women-centric forums have been set up including the dedicated helpline 1090, emergency number 112, separate women help desks at all police stations, specialised investigation units to deal with offences against women and children and 99 pink booths at key points where women/girls can approach police during emergencies,” a senior police officer said.“Earlier, women used to feel shy or afraid of approaching police, but now the system is friendly, thus they come forward to lodge complaints fearlessly,” he added.Cases that fall under NCRB’s definition of “crimes against women” include rape, dowry deaths, abetment to suicide, miscarriage, acid attacks, cruelty by husbands, cybercrimes, offences under the POCSO Act and assaults with intent to outrage modesty.
