The city police every year register many cases and some cases get charge sheeted, whereas many fall into the final report category where the investigation is not complete.
In a recent report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for the year 2022, Assam has emerged with the second-lowest conviction rate (4.8%) in cases of crime against women, just marginally ahead of Andhra Pradesh at 4.5%. The report further highlights the state's struggle with the fourth-lowest conviction rate in cyber crimes and the sixth-lowest in crimes against children. Despite a 50% reduction in reported cases of crimes against women, Assam faces a 4.8% conviction rate.
Talking about Guwahati, in the last few years the crime registration numbers have significantly decreased in the city but the conviction rate still remains less but better than in past years.
According to data acquired for one of the police stations of the city, the conviction rate of that police station was just 20% in 2023.
The station registered around 561 cases and including pending cases of previous years, 5184 cases were disposed of by the police station.
A senior police official of City Police informed that moreover the conviction rates of all the police stations are the same and it is increasing than previous years.
A senior city police official of Guwahati Police Commissionerate talking to GPlus on condition of anonymity said, “With due diligence, the cases registered are less and the conviction rate has also improved,” adding that with time the conviction rate will further increase.
“He explained that all complaints are not registered now. After receiving the complaint due diligence - an investigation is carried out to confirm facts or details of a matter under consideration, thereafter if required the case is registered,” said the official.
“The fewer cases the investigation officers (IOs) get, the better investigation can be done and more cases can be charge-sheeted,” said the official adding that the work has started as all cases are being registered after due diligence. He claimed that within two to three years the conviction rate will significantly increase.
A city-based resident, social worker, Padmashree awardee and former legislator Ajoy Kumar Dutta said, “I urge the government to punish the people who are involved in crimes,” adding that land grabbing is a major issue in the city, people are getting arrested but he is not sure if they will be convicted.
Dutta said that many people get arrested for corruption but somehow they do not get convicted. He said the conviction of criminals is the need of the hour.
In a New Year's address, Assam DGP GP Singh outlined a vision for the upcoming year, underscoring strategic directives aimed at elevating the overall policing experience and tackling critical issues afflicting the state. He addressed all his subordinates in the Assam Police.
One of the major instructions by the DGP to his subordinates through his social media messages was, “Enhanced Investigation Techniques: The directive calls for further improvement in investigation practices, aiming for an increased rate of charge sheets and convictions by leveraging the full potential of forensics, aligning with legal frameworks like the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bhartiya Sakhshya Sanhita.”
The conviction rate of crimes as of now in Guwahati and Assam is not up to the mark, the coming years will let us know if the police worked to improve the scenario.