Trivial disputes account for 40% of 91 murders in 2025

Nagpur: The city recorded 91 murders in 2025 — almost the same as the long-term average of 90 murders per year — mostly due to interpersonal violence. Out of 91 murders, almost 40% (36) happened over trivial reasons, and nearly 27% (24) were a fallout of illicit relations, eve-teasing, domestic tiffs, and so on.The police data shows 82 homicides were recorded up to November last year — same in the corresponding period in 2024 — before nine more cases in December took the final tally to 91.The first five months of 2025 recorded 44 murders before preventive actions helped flatten the curve in the second half."For the past 21 years (2005–2025), Nagpur recorded 1,887 murders in total, averaging precisely 90 per year, with notable peaks in 2011, 2013, and 2014. The lowest count was 79 in 2023 while the highest was 95 in 2021," said an official.A motive-by-motive breakdown of last year's 91 cases reveals the overwhelming role of preventable conflicts. Trivial reasons drove about 40% (36 incidents), including six murders directly triggered by arguments over alcohol and seemingly minor provocations such as a brawl over a cigarette lighter.Issues involving women accounted for 27% (24 murders). The reasons included love affairs, suspicions over character, illicit relationships, family disputes, eve-teasing, and jealousy-driven killings. The murder of a 16-year-old girl in Ajni over a broken relationship highlighted persistent gender inequalities and patriarchal mindsets.Economic and property-related motives were also among the triggers, with nine cases linked to fees or financial disagreements, and 13 stemming from old criminal enmities.Rarer causes included one incident involving an unnatural act, one connected to communal tension, and a handful of cases with unknown motives.The worst-affected area was Hudkeshwar with nine murders, followed by Pardi with seven. Targeted police interventions delivered results, with the July-September quarter recording a 33.3% drop in murders (from 21 to 14) across key zones. "Nagpur police mounted more than 14,000 preventive actions throughout 2025, detaining 53 individuals under the MPDA Act, jailing 100 alleged gang members in MCOCA cases focused against shootings and drug trafficking, and rolling out operations such as ‘U-Turn' and ‘zero tolerance' alongside community outreach efforts," said DCP, crime, Rahul MaknikarThe anti-narcotics drive ‘Operation Thunder' and anti-trafficking ‘Operation Shakti', under CP Ravinder Singal, helped bring down crime across the city, the DCP said."Proactive policing contained spikes effectively," another senior officer said and added that long-term reduction depends on tackling root causes like alcohol abuse, domestic discord, joblessness, and poor conflict-resolution skills "through community and societal participation".