Telangana and its capital, Hyderabad, have emerged as major hotspots for high-profile crimes in 2023, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. From cybercrimes and forgery to food adulteration and child exploitation, the state consistently ranked among the top across multiple categories.
Spike in Cybercrime Cases
Telangana recorded a 19% increase in cybercrime cases, registering 18,236 incidents in 2023 compared to 15,297 the previous year. Despite the rise, the state’s charge-sheeting rate of 20.9% remained lower than the national average of 33.7%.
Among cyber offenses, 263 cases involved cyberstalking and bullying of women and children, while the state also accounted for nearly half of all fake news cases nationwide with 98 of the 209 cases reported. Authorities disposed of 11,682 cases during the year, underscoring both the scale of the challenge and the strain on enforcement capacity.
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Forgery, Bank Frauds, and Financial Crimes
Telangana also led India in forgery, cheating, and fraud, with 16,690 cases impacting 16,954 victims. Hyderabad alone contributed 4,090 cases, making it the country’s worst-affected metropolitan city in this category.
Key financial crime trends included:
- Bank frauds: 1,897 cases affecting 1,900 victims.
- ATM thefts: 709 cases, with Hyderabad reporting 156 victims.
- Debit/credit card frauds: 855 cases affecting 861 victims, including 211 in Hyderabad.
- Offenses involving documents and property marks: 5,598 cases with 5,742 victims, all in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad also recorded the highest number of cases under Sections 153A and 153AA of IPC, with 47 incidents tied to communal enmity and illegal arms processions, surpassing other metros like Bengaluru, Pune, and Delhi.
Crimes Against Children and Vulnerable Groups
Telangana ranked second in the country under the Juvenile Justice Act, with 347 cases, behind only Rajasthan. However, the state recorded the highest crime rate in this category at three cases per lakh population.
The state also stood third in child labour violations, with 168 cases and 202 victims. In total, 3,702 cases under Children-Related Acts were registered, underlining the persistent exploitation of minors despite ongoing legal safeguards.
Adulterated Food Cases Lead Nationwide
Telangana also dominated in cases of food and drug adulteration, accounting for 382 out of 565 incidents nationwide, with 387 victims. Hyderabad alone registered 218 such cases.
Though no cases were filed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the state’s figures reflect the persistence of unsafe consumer practices. In 2022, Telangana had reported an even higher figure of 1,631 cases.
Suicide and Road Fatalities
While farmer suicides dipped sharply from 178 in 2022 to 56 in 2023, Telangana remained the fifth-highest state in suicide rates overall, with 10,580 deaths (27.7 per lakh). Of these, 8,226 were men, 2,342 women, and two transgender persons.
The NCRB report also noted 7,660 road accident fatalities across the state, underscoring another public safety challenge.
The NCRB data paints a stark picture of Telangana as both an economic hub and a crime hotspot. With Hyderabad leading in multiple categories—from cybercrime to financial frauds and adulteration—the report underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement, public awareness, and institutional reforms.
