The annual crime data released by the Navi Mumbai police on Thursday show that while 2017 saw the least number of cases being registered over the previous two years, the rate of detection of cases has dipped.
Statistics show that 5,405 cases were registered in 2015, of which 3,792 were detected and ensuring 70% of cases were solved. In 2016, of the 4,801 cases registered, 3,561 cases or 74% were solved. In 2017, of the 3,065 cases registered 67% or 4,561 cases were solved.
‘Officers not to blame’
Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said, “The detection percentage going down does not mean that the officials have not done their job properly. Many a time, when we nab a gang of chain snatchers or house breaking thieves, many previous cases get solved. Similarly in the future, when we will bust a gang who have a previous criminal record, the detection rate in 2017 will change.”
The percentage of conviction in 2017 too saw a dip. From 60% in 2016 it fell to 45%. Mr. Nagrale said, “Conviction depends on many factors like witnesses turning hostile and complainants going underground. Even though the overall conviction rate dropped, the conviction rate of serious offences at the session court saw a rise. We had 29% conviction rate in 2017 at the sessions court as against 14% in 2016.”
Cases which saw a rise in 2017 were robbery (20%), four-wheeler theft (7%) and other thefts (8%). Meanwhile, cases of housebreaking witnessed a 8% dip, motorcycle theft by fell 18%, rape cases by 9% and chain snatching by 28%.
In 2017, 43 cases of murder were registered, of which 40 were solved and the accused arrested. All eight cases of dacoity that had been registered were solved. Mr. Nagrale said, “In cases of property offence, ₹33.39 crore worth of property was stolen last year, of which ₹12.71 crore was recovered, making it a 34% recovery.”
He said sensational cases such as the Vashi dacoity and robbery at the Bank of Baroda branch in Juinagar were solved with more than 50% recovery of stolen goods.
The Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai police arrested 28 accused in 19 cases and recovered 54.746 kg drugs. Of this, 465 gram was Methamphetamine and 53.2 kg was ganja. The anti-human trafficking cell of Navi Mumbai registered 12 cases, in which 13 girls and 17 women were rescued and 30 accused were arrested. Under operation Muskaan, 17 missing children were found and handed over to their parents. Police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA) in eight cases, in which 46 accused were involved. The Cyber Cell in 2017 registered 72 cases and solved 26 of them by arresting 105 accused.
Rise in cases of fraud
The Economic Offences Wing registered 28 cases, in which 39 were arrested. Mr. Nagrale said, “The two noteworthy cases in EOW were of One Coin and Jio India scams. The cases of economic offences will keep on increasing due to the rise in property dealings and fraud. Hence, we now have an independent ACP looking after only EOW cases. Initially EOW was looked after by the Crime Branch.”
In 2017, the police arrested 29 accused under the Arms Act and recovered 15 country-made revolvers, six pistols, four revolvers and 57 live cartridges. Around 115 wanted accused and 44 absconding accused were arrested by the police in 2017 as against one and 43 in 2016 respectively.
Cops face action
In 2017, three officers were dismissed, five removed and one was asked to take compulsory retirement. Mr. Nagrale issued show cause notices to 15 officers for removal, including two for compulsory retirement. Investigations are under way against two officers and seven staff members in graft cases.
Preliminary enquiry has been initiated against seven officers, 68 staff and one clerk, and departmental enquiry is pending. Preliminary enquiry against nine officers, 49 staff members and two clerks is being initiated under various complaints.
