Cyberabad sees eight percent increase in crimes in 2023, sharp spike in cyber crime cases: Avinash Mohanty

HYDERABAD: Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty said that the overall crime rate increased by eight percent in the Commissionerate during 2023. He released the annual crime statistics at a press conference on Saturday.

Avinash Mohanty said that a total of 29,156 cases were registered in 2023 as against 27,322 the previous year. There was a slight rise in the cyber crime cases in the Commissionerate during 2023. As many as 5,342 cases were registered this year, while as many as 4,850 cases were registered in 2022, he said.

The Cyberabad CP said that as many as 339 accused persons were arrested and 168 cases were detected out of the total 5,342 cases related to cyber crime. A total of Rs 232 crore was looted by the cyber fraudsters of which Rs 46 crore was recovered, he added.

Informing the enforcement measures to curb drugs, Avinash Mohanty said that a total 277 cases were registered and 567 accused persons (Two suppliers, 550 peddlers/middlemen and 15 end users) were apprehended and two PD acts were invoked. About 6,676 kgs of ganja seized by the police during the suprise checks and drugs worth Rs 27.82 crore was seized, he said.

The Cyberabad CP said that crime against women was reduced this year. A total of 2,356 cases were registered as against 2,489 the previous year. This year, there was a decline in rape cases. As many as 259 cases were booked as against 316 during 2022. She Teams apprehended 2,587 persons in day and night decoy operations and counselled 3,032 respondents in 66 sessions. About 88 FIRs were filed and the accused were arrested. As many as 2,580 petty cases were booked and 09 child marriages were stopped, he said.

Avinash Mohanty said that online decoy operations were taken out and 11 people were arrested. Operation Smile and Muskaan were designed to identify missing children, child labour, bonded labour, begging, rag picking and trafficking children, rescue them and reunite them with their families. This year, 1,347 operations were carried out, and 1,829 children were rescued, he informed.

On Traffic, the Cyberabad CP said that a total of 44 Pelican signals were inaugurated in Commissionerate and 88 volunteers were deployed to operate these pelican signals. In 2023, as many as 52,124 drunk & drive cases were booked and convicted 1,271 violations, he said and added there was a slight decline in the road accident cases this year from 3,224 (2022) to 3,143.

Reacting on the MLAs poaching case, Avinash Mohanty said that the case was under investigation and soon the details would be disclosed. On the other hand, investigation was underway into the murder attempt case against former minister Srinivas Goud. On postings, he said that efficient officers would be given postings and recommendation letters would not be accepted and every officer would be verified.

On KP Chowdary drugs case, the Cyberabad CP said that investigation was underway into the incident. “We will arrest all those names confessed by KP Chowdary. All of them will be called for an inquiry. No one will be spared and they will be caught red handed while they are possessing with drugs,” he said and ruled out the possibilities of soft corner on film industry representatives in the drugs case.