Panaji: The Goa Police on Friday clarified that while it does not dispute the overall data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the report combines figures for rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) cases. This aggregation results in a cumulative crime rate of 13.3% for Goa, which is the highest in the country for rape-related cases registered in 2024.
Separate Assessment Shows Lower Rates
According to the police, when the categories are assessed individually, the state's crime rate stands at 5.2% for rape cases and 8.1% for Pocso cases, compared to the national average. The police reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of women and stated that they follow a policy of prompt registration of complaints, sensitive investigation, and strict legal action in all cases involving crimes against women.
Higher Reporting Reflects Public Confidence
The police noted that the higher reporting and registration of offences in Goa also reflect greater public awareness, easier access to police mechanisms, and increased public confidence in approaching law enforcement agencies.
"It is pertinent to note that a majority of cases registered under rape-related offences involve situations where the accused and victim are known to each other, cases of alleged rape on the pretext of marriage, consensual relationship disputes that later result in complaints, as well as elopement-related matters involving minors under legal provisions," the police said.
Stranger-Based Assaults Minimal
The police added that incidents involving stranger-based sexual assault and molestation or outraging of modesty in public spaces account for only a negligible proportion of the total registered cases. Most of the cases registered during the period were successfully detected and charge-sheeted through prompt investigations and coordinated action by district police units and specialised teams.
"Goa has consistently scored 100% marks on the ITSSO Portal of the NCRB for meeting the 60-day deadline for filing charge sheets in such cases," the police said.
