Director General of Police Ravi Gupta discloses a significant 8.97% rise in Telangana’s overall crime rate for the year 2023. In a press briefing, the DGP unveils the key findings, shedding light on the challenges faced by law enforcement and the measures taken to address the evolving landscape of criminal activities.

Hyderabad : A significant surge of 17.59% in cybercrimes contributes to an overall 8.97% increase in Telangana’s crime rate during the year 2023. Director General of Police Ravi Gupta presented the annual report on Friday, outlining the challenges faced by law enforcement, particularly the rising threats of cybercrimes and the persistent drug menace.

In response to these challenges, the government has taken proactive measures by reinforcing two new wings exclusively dedicated to tackling drug-related issues and cybercrimes. Recently appointed ADG level officers are spearheading these efforts, marking the initiation of a robust process to strengthen these wings.

DGP Ravi Gupta emphasized the uncompromising stance the police will adopt against those involved in drug-related activities. A zero-tolerance policy is declared, with strict measures to be taken against anyone engaged in selling, purchasing, facilitating, or possessing drugs, in accordance with applicable laws. Premises allowing the use or availability of drugs will also face severe consequences.

The DGP appealed to parents to vigilantly monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from falling into the trap of drug abuse. Additionally, educational institutions are urged to be vigilant regarding the sale and purchase of drugs in and around their premises.

Highlighting Telangana’s pioneering role, the DGP stated that the state police have established an exclusive cyber security bureau, making it the only agency in the country combating all forms of cybercrimes and threats to cyber security. The bureau’s mission is to protect citizens and institutions from malicious cyber-attacks.

Telangana Police leads the way with initiatives such as the dedicated call centre for 1930, the national helpline for cybercrimes, and the Telangana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (T4C). Since the establishment of the bureau, nearly 90,000 complaints have been received, leading to the registration of 14,000 FIRs. An impressive Rs 133 crore belonging to the accused has been frozen, and around 30,000 SIMs used by offenders have been blocked.

The police have expanded their efforts by now blocking IMEI numbers of suspicious mobile phones. A new SMS service for 1930 has been introduced for public convenience. The DGP urged citizens to stay alert, emphasizing that most cybercrimes occur due to a lack of caution while clicking or sharing details. He advised immediate reporting of any cybercrime to increase the chances of recovering the amount.

DGP Ravi Gupta termed 2023 as an incident-free year, citing effective security arrangements for major events, including legislative Assembly elections. Notably, the elections were free from extremist violence due to robust anti-extremist measures.

Law enforcement officers have been instructed to maintain accessibility and transparency in their day-to-day functioning, aligning with the government’s vision of Praja Palana. While crimes like murders, dacoity, burglaries, rioting, kidnaps, and cheating increased in 2023 compared to the previous year, fatal road accidents decreased by one percent. The year 2023 saw 6,362 accidents, with grievous road accidents reducing by an impressive 60% from 2,410 to 969.

The total property lost during the year amounted to Rs. 151.78 crore, with an encouraging recovery rate of 53.82%, compared to 50% in the previous year. The overall conviction rate improved to 41%, with life convictions increasing to 39%. Courts pronounced life imprisonment in 232 cases during 2023, marking a notable increase from 168 cases in the previous year. The police invoked the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against 175 criminals during the year, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.