Pune’s conviction rate improves from 8% to 22%, but remains below state & national averages: NCRB 2024 report

Pune: Even as the city recorded an improvement in its conviction rate compared to the previous year, it continues to rank among the lowest in metropolitan cities with a population of over 20 lakh, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2024 released by the Union home ministry on Wednesday.The data shows that Pune's conviction rate in cases registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) stood at 22.1% in 2024 — lower than the Maharashtra average of 52.3% and national average of 53.3%. Among major metro cities, only Kolkata recorded a lower conviction rate at 13%. However, Pune police have shown a marked improvement from 2023, when the conviction rate was just 8.8% for IPC cases, lowest among all metro cities in the country.Similarly, the city's conviction rate in cases registered under Special and Local Laws (SLL) rose from 14.5% in 2023 to 17.9% in 2024. Despite the increase, it remained below the state average of 26.5% and national average of 79.3%.The NCRB data also highlights the gap between acquittals and convictions in the city. While the accused in 1,643 cases registered under IPC/BNS and SLL provisions were acquitted in 2024, convictions were secured in only 429 cases.Retired assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Rajendra Bhamre attributed the low conviction rate to shortcomings in police investigation and follow-up, saying the focus often ends with detection of the crime rather than securing conviction in court. "Nowadays, investigating teams treat detection as the end of the case, but there is little emphasis on ensuring conviction. Cases are often not pursued strongly during trial," he said.Bhamre said earlier, there was a system of closely reviewing court observations and orders against investigating officers, and action was taken in cases of lapses. "Such accountability is rarely seen now, which is why investigations are not taken as seriously as they should be," he said.He added that while investigations in city areas are supervised by ACP-rank officers, rural cases come under deputy superintendent of police-rank officers. "These officers should conduct periodic reviews to monitor the status of pending trials and follow up in courts. Investigating officers also need regular training to build stronger cases that can stand scrutiny during trial. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be happening now," Bhamre said.Lawyer Milind Pawar said weak investigation and inadequate witness protection often end up benefiting the accused. "It is the responsibility of the prosecution to ensure protection of witnesses, but in many cases, witnesses either turn hostile or fail to appear before the court to record their statements. Delays in collecting and recovering evidence also affect forensic reports, which later weakens the prosecution's case," Pawar explained.He also highlighted the occurrence of out-of-court settlements in certain cases, where the accused may be acquitted officially while both parties resolve the dispute privately. "Delay in trials is another major issue. By the time the matter comes up for hearing, witnesses often fail to appear or are unable to recall the sequence of events accurately, which ultimately impacts the trial," he said.