Half-yearly overview shows sharp rise in crime in Telangana

A semi-annual crime review meeting on Friday showed a sharp rise in crime in the state over the past three years. The data showed that crime in Telangana rose by 7.15% in three years, from 2,65,377 cases in 2023-24 to 2,84,363 in 2025-26, with the crime rate per 100,000 population climbing from 481.58 to 491.59.

Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand, in a meeting on Friday, directed police officers to go beyond statistical checks on crime and focus on in-depth analysis of causes, modus operandi of the offender, quality of investigation and disposal of cases. Addressing a half-yearly crime review meeting with senior officers in the DGP’s office, Mr. Anand said special focus on the Crime and Crime Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) has taken the data update rate from 70-80% earlier to 96% now.

Narcotics cases rose by 46.10%, from 2,026 to 2,960, while organized crime cases jumped from 25 to 451, an increase of 1,704%. Traffic offenses increased by 9.48%. However, cybercrime and economic crimes decreased by 13.29% and 13.28%, respectively.

Serious crimes fell by 10.33% year-on-year, from 7,019 to 6,294 cases, with Hyderabad recording a 26.23% drop. However, serious crime has increased in Mulugu, Nirmal and Adilabad, prompting calls for focused attention on smaller and tribal areas. Non-serious crimes increased by 7.28% in three years, with Komaram Bheem Asifabad (70.88%) and Adilabad (60.71%) seeing a sharp rise.

Narcotics offenses emerged as a major problem, with Cyberabad recording a 90.98% increase and Warangal 142.31% over three years; Adilabad district saw an almost four-fold increase in cases from 57 to 219. Crimes against women and children decreased by 1.54% during the year, though remained 3.81% higher than in 2023-24. Traffic offenses in Komaram Bheem Asifabad increased by 624.03%.

DGP Anand directed police officers to ensure timely data updates on digital police portals and review presentations on AI-based policing tools, CCTNS, TG-COP, Hawkeye, new criminal laws, interoperable criminal justice system, EAGLE and functioning of Forensic Science Laboratory. Young IPS officers introduced new technology-driven policing initiatives. The meeting also covered budgetary matters, police housing, infrastructure needs and rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 21:37 IST