West Bengal Records Low Conviction Rates for Crimes Against Women
Data from 2017-2023 reveals that West Bengal has one of the lowest conviction rates for crimes against women in India, despite recording high numbers of cases. Only about one in five cases ends in conviction. The state consistently ranks among the top four for the highest number of such crimes, including acid attacks and cruelty by husbands. High pendency rates and a large number of acquittals highlight a lack of accountability and efficiency in the legal process, with the number of pending cases rising by 56% since 2017.
Key Points
- West Bengal's conviction rate for crimes against women fluctuated between 5% and 8.9% from 2017-2023.
- The state recorded the highest number of acquittals and the largest backlog of pending cases in the country in 2023.
- West Bengal ranks 35th out of 36 in conviction rates for cases of crimes against women.
Exam Facts
- Source: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data (2017-2023).
- Pending Cases: 3.68 lakh cases pending trial in West Bengal at the end of 2023.
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