Jharkhand State Minority Commission Chairman Hedayatullah Khan has voiced serious concerns over a surge in crimes against minority community members across the state, including the recent discovery of two minor siblings' bodies in Hazaribag and the disappearance of a three-year-old girl in Jamshedpur. Khan criticised the administration's handling of these cases, citing police negligence in registering an FIR for the missing girl, and demanded impartial investigations and accountability from senior police officials.
The number of crimes against minorities has declined to 170 up to October of this year in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat, Home Minister P Chidambaram told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. "It is not true that crimes against Christians and other minorities are rising in the country, particularly in the states of Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat," the minister said during Question Hour
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against 15 individuals in the Kishtwar minor's rape and death case. The chargesheet alleges a criminal conspiracy to conceal the sexual assault, intimidate the victim's family, and illegally terminate her advanced pregnancy. The 15-year-old tribal girl died on August 20 following an alleged abortion attempt after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by a teacher, resulting in pregnancy. Accused include the main perpetrator, health workers, and community elders involved in the cover-up and pressure tactics.
A sixth case has been registered against granite businessman Gem Veeramani in Chennai, related to the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls. This brings the total cases against him to six, involving 10 minor girls. Several accomplices, including drivers, have also been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Police have arrested Sakthivel, manager of Gem Granites, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of minors by granite baron R Veeramani. This arrest is part of a widening probe that has seen multiple arrests and the registration of a seventh POCSO case against Veeramani, involving complaints from 11 minor girls.
A POCSO court in Odisha's Angul district has sentenced a man to death for the rape and murder of a 4-year-old girl. The accused, Babula Jena, was found guilty under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Supreme Court has issued comprehensive directives to the Delhi Police Commissioner to enhance safety for women and minor girls in Delhi-NCR. These measures include forming dedicated police teams, conducting vulnerability audits of public spaces, improving lighting and CCTV surveillance, and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms. The court also sought reports on the functioning of fast-track courts, utilisation of sexual offender databases, and the Mission Shakti programme.
A Gurugram court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 for raping a minor girl. The conviction followed a complaint lodged in September 2022, leading to the accused's arrest, investigation, and effective prosecution by Gurugram Police.
Three drivers of Gem Granite founder R Veeramani have been arrested in Chennai for their alleged involvement in the sexual harassment of minors. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into five cases against Veeramani, who was previously arrested along with accomplices after a pendrive allegedly containing video evidence triggered the probe.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of recent heinous crimes against minor girls and women in the Delhi-NCR region, highlighting a systemic failure in law enforcement. Citing parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case, the court demanded accountability from authorities and sought comprehensive reports on public safety measures and the utilisation of the National Database on Sexual Offenders.
A 17-year-old girl in Raigad, Maharashtra, was allegedly raped repeatedly by five individuals, including two minors, resulting in her pregnancy. The adult accused have been arrested, and the minors detained. The crime came to light after her pregnancy was discovered, leading to a case being registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act.
A POCSO court in Keralam has sentenced a 64-year-old man, Abdul Razak, to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in October 2023. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh. The incident led to a mob attack on the accused, for which his wife filed a separate case.
The data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau showed that the crime rate in 2023 stood at 39.9 per one-lakh child population, in comparison to 36.6 in 2022.
The Supreme Court has strongly asserted the critical need to instill fear in criminals and enhance women's safety across Delhi-NCR, taking suo motu cognisance of recent alarming rape incidents.
The Tamil Nadu government has constituted an all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sensational POCSO case against granite baron R Veeramani (84), who is accused of sexual abuse of minor girls. The case has led to the easing out of two top IPS officers and allegations of delayed action and political interference.
A POCSO court in Muzaffarnagar has sentenced a man named Papu to life imprisonment for raping a six-year-old girl. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000, to be given to the survivor. The incident occurred on April 19, 2026, and the chargesheet was filed on June 5, 2026.
The Kerala High Court has affirmed the conviction and life imprisonment of a former state government employee found guilty of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl over 45 days in 2009. The court dismissed the accused's appeal, stating the victim's testimony was "sterling quality" and corroborated by medical evidence, rejecting claims of false implication.
Delhi Police have filed a 398-page chargesheet against a sleeper bus driver and conductor for the alleged gangrape of a minor during a journey from Greater Noida to Delhi. Biological evidence was crucial in the case, which also highlighted significant safety lapses on the bus. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance, drawing parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case and questioning systemic law enforcement failures.
Amroha Police demolished an alleged illegal construction belonging to an accused in a minor rape case, identified as Farman, as part of their zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and girls. The structure was found to be illegal after verification by the revenue department.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Chennai has registered a new case under the POCSO Act against granite baron R Veeramani, following a complaint from the mother of a minor girl. This development comes as Veeramani's judicial custody was extended, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) announced a fact-finding visit. The case has led to significant public outcry and action against police officers for alleged inaction.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu has filed a chargesheet against a health department employee, Sohan Lal Singh, for allegedly securing a government job as a dental assistant nearly two decades ago using a forged Class 10 certificate. The investigation revealed discrepancies in his educational records and date of birth, with evidence suggesting his deceased father procured the fraudulent documents.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl. The court described the crime as "rarest of the rare," stating that leniency would undermine public confidence in justice. The judge highlighted the extreme depravity of the act, committed on November 16, 2025, and ruled out life imprisonment, also directing Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim's parents.
India recorded a 6% dip in overall crime in 2024, with 58.85 lakh cases registered compared to 62.41 lakh in 2023, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Crime rates per lakh population also decreased, with Kerala, Puducherry, and West Bengal leading in solving crimes. While some crimes like those against women and SC/STs saw declines, cybercrime and crimes against senior citizens increased.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals and taken action against three minors in connection with nine FIRs related to online harassment, fake social media profiles, objectionable content circulation, and blackmail. The arrests were made under "Mission Cyber Rakshika," an initiative focused on protecting women from cyber-stalking and abuse.
Goa Police have arrested a 24-year-old man from Odisha and detained a 17-year-old youth in connection with a significant drug bust. Over 10.7 kg of ganja, estimated to be worth Rs 10.5 lakh, was seized at the Mapusa interstate bus terminal. Authorities suspect the adult accused used the juvenile for drug trafficking.
Assam's Juvenile Justice Board has ruled that a 17-year-old boy, accused in the alleged rape and murder of a girl in Hailakandi district, will be tried as an adult. The decision was based on the heinous nature of the crime, psychological assessments, and other reports. The incident, which occurred on August 1, led to widespread protests and a chargesheet was filed against five accused, including the juvenile.
The prime accused in the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Odisha's Balasore district has been arrested. A police officer was suspended for negligence, and another transferred, amidst public protests and demands for a Crime Branch probe by the Opposition Congress.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl late last year. The court termed the gruesome crime "rarest of the rare" and also ordered Rs 10 lakh financial assistance for the victim's family. The prosecution, led by Ujwal Nikam, relied on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies to secure the conviction.
A Delhi court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the sexual assault and murder of an 11-year-old boy in 2019, citing the heinous nature of the crime and the need for a strong deterrent.
Delhi continues to report the highest number of juvenile crime cases among metropolitan cities in India, according to the latest NCRB data. The report highlights the types of crimes committed and the socio-economic background of the juveniles involved.
The BJP's women's wing announced a protest march against the Congress, alleging that Rahul Gandhi is protecting Inner Manipur MP Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from JNU over sexual harassment allegations involving 11 students. The BJP Mahila Morcha will organise a 'Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan' on Monday, demanding Akoijam's expulsion and resignation.
A court in Maharashtra's Palghar district has sentenced a 55-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his seven-year-old daughter. The crime came to light in November 2020 after neighbours alerted an NGO. The court noted the man exploited his position of trust, making the child believe his actions were right.
A Juvenile Justice Board in Bareilly has found a minor girl guilty of murdering her five-year-old brother. The boy was allegedly killed after he caught his sister in a compromising position with a man and threatened to tell their mother. The girl's alleged lover has already been sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the same case. The board will issue a separate order on the quantum of punishment for the juvenile.
A murder accused, Saurabh Singh, was injured in an exchange of fire with police in Patna, Bihar, on Sunday during a weapon recovery operation. Singh, who faces multiple murder and Arms Act cases, opened fire at the police team, prompting a sub-inspector to retaliate in self-defence. He was later hospitalised, and two firearms were recovered from the scene.
Delhi continues to report the highest number of juvenile crime cases among metropolitan cities in India, according to the latest NCRB data for 2024. The city recorded 2,306 cases, with a crime rate of 42 per one lakh minors. Theft is the most common crime committed by juveniles.
South African jurist Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, of Indian origin, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong dedication to advancing human rights, peace, and international law, including her significant contributions to shaping international law on genocide and sexual violence.
Following the horrific Jamui molestation case, new incidents of harassment have been reported in Bihar's Samastipur and Muzaffarpur districts, leading to five arrests and prompting strong criticism from opposition leaders against the BJP-led NDA government over the state's law and order situation.
A court in Meerut has sentenced a woman and her lover to death for strangling her husband and placing a live snake beside his body to make it appear as a snakebite death. The elaborate murder plot was uncovered after a post-mortem revealed strangulation marks, leading to their conviction under 'Operation Conviction'.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal criticised the state government over the law and order situation, alleging a rise in crimes against women and questioning the administration's priorities.
A Palghar court has sentenced Madhu Dharma Govari to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor boy. The court rejected the defence's claim of improbability in a crowded locality, emphasizing that "bystander apathy" does not undermine a victim's testimony. Forensic evidence and the victim's credible account corroborated the conviction under POCSO Act and IPC.