Crimes Against Women in Vidarbha: A Data-Based Look at Justice and Trends

thenewsdirt
May 7
7 min read

The number of crimes committed against women in Vidarbha has increased steadily over the past three years, reflecting trends seen across Maharashtra and the rest of India. Maharashtra recorded 39,526 cases of crimes against women in 2021. This rose to 45,335 in 2022 and to 47,381 in 2023.

Vidarbha, comprising districts like Nagpur, Amravati, Chandrapur, Yavatmal and Gadchiroli, contributed an estimated 11,000 cases in 2023 alone.

In Nagpur city, over 1,100 cases were recorded in 2021. By 2024, the first eight months alone saw 213 rape cases, 320 molestation cases, 257 kidnappings and 193 domestic violence cases.

These figures reflect broader national patterns. India recorded 428,278 cases of crimes against women in 2021 and 445,256 in 2022. The projected 2023 figure exceeds 460,000.

These increases have been linked both to worsening social conditions and improved mechanisms for filing complaints.

Across Vidarbha, domestic violence remains the most frequently reported offence, followed by kidnapping, molestation and sexual assault.

Dowry-related harassment is less prevalent than in the northern parts of the country, but reports of financial coercion and abuse from in-laws continue to surface.

Crimes against women in Nagpur, in particular, have outpaced those in other cities in the region.

In 2024, one kidnapping or abduction of a woman was reported nearly every day. Sexual offences have shown a consistent rise since 2022, and molestation cases now occur at a frequency higher than rape. In many other districts, such as Bhandara and Gadchiroli, the numbers are lower but still rising. The increase in reported cases can partly be attributed to expanded help desks, Nirbhaya patrol squads and the introduction of e-FIR facilities, making it easier for women to report crimes.

Trafficking remains a serious concern. In 2020, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of human trafficking cases in the country, and eight new Anti-Human Trafficking Units have been introduced in Vidarbha.

Victims include young girls from vulnerable tribal and agrarian families, and there have been multiple reports of coerced prostitution involving women widowed by farmer suicides. These offences are often under-reported and tied to broader social and economic crises in the region.

Dowry deaths in Vidarbha are rare compared to other regions of India, but dowry harassment remains part of domestic abuse patterns. Nagpur recorded only two dowry cases in 2022. Maharashtra saw a 6.1 per cent fall in dowry deaths in 2023, but the relatively low figures are likely influenced by informal settlements within families and reluctance to approach the police.

Conviction Rates and Judicial Delays

The conviction rate for crimes against women in Maharashtra is significantly below the national average. In 2022, the national conviction rate stood at 23.3 percent. Maharashtra’s rate was about 12 percent.

This means that of the cases concluded in court that year, only about one in eight resulted in a guilty verdict.

A large proportion of trials ended in acquittal, often due to lack of evidence, procedural delays, or withdrawal by the complainant.

Nationally, 92.7 percent of crimes against women cases were pending at the end of 2022. Maharashtra’s backlog reflected this figure.

In Vidarbha, many cases registered since 2021 are yet to be resolved. Victims are required to attend hearings for months or years, and rural women often travel long distances to reach courtrooms in district headquarters.

By August 2024, 148 women reported missing in Nagpur had still not been traced.

Investigations remain open in hundreds of sexual assault and domestic violence cases. Delays in forensic testing, lack of trained personnel, and frequent adjournments further slow the process.

The reasons for low conviction rates in Vidarbha mirror those seen nationally. Social pressure on victims and witnesses to withdraw complaints remains common. In several cases, families force reconciliation, especially in incidents involving domestic violence or elopement. Law enforcement capacity in rural areas is limited.

There are fewer forensic labs in the region, and the collection of medical and physical evidence is often delayed or incomplete.

Maharashtra has created 87 special courts to handle cases involving women and children. Another 138 fast-track courts are in development. These include courts in Vidarbha districts such as Nagpur, Amravati and Chandrapur. Some cases have been resolved quickly under this system, with trials concluded within months.

However, the backlog remains large, and the shortage of judges and public prosecutors continues to hinder progress. The establishment of fast-track courts has not yet significantly reduced the pendency of cases across the region.

Legal aid is available through the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and district-level schemes.

One Stop Centres in districts like Yavatmal and Nagpur offer immediate medical, legal and psychological support to women who file complaints.

These centres are intended to streamline the justice process for victims, particularly in rape and domestic abuse cases. Nevertheless, most women still face long wait times and are often unaware of the full range of support services available to them.

In some cases, improved policing methods have strengthened investigations. Three police officers from Vidarbha received the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation.

CCTV and digital evidence have been successfully used in recent molestation and stalking cases. However, these examples remain exceptions, and the overall conviction rate across Vidarbha continues to fall below the national average.

Societal Attitudes and Reporting Behaviour

Cultural norms and social expectations continue to influence the reporting and resolution of crimes against women in Vidarbha. In rural communities, many cases of domestic violence go unreported.

Victims often depend economically on their abusers and are advised by family members or local elders to remain in the marriage. In some cases, complaints to the police are redirected back to the family for informal resolution.

Sexual assault and molestation victims in small towns and villages face stigma, leading to under-reporting. Families sometimes discourage women from filing complaints to protect their reputation.

Cases involving elopement or teenage relationships are often registered as kidnappings, further complicating the legal process. In some areas, caste panchayats have been known to interfere in investigations, proposing compromise settlements or pressuring victims into marriage with the accused.

Urban centres such as Nagpur show greater awareness and support systems. The presence of active NGOs, women's organisations and legal aid groups has helped survivors navigate the system.

Police stations in Nagpur and Amravati have set up women’s help desks and run gender sensitivity programmes. College campuses have hosted legal awareness drives.

Public campaigns have increased reporting rates and created channels for anonymous complaints.

Dowry harassment in the region rarely results in formal complaints unless the abuse escalates.

While dowry deaths are less frequent, expectations of cash or gifts in marriage negotiations remain widespread. This is reflected in cases where in-laws harass brides for financial contributions, sometimes leading to abandonment or physical abuse. These cases are often settled through family meetings and rarely reach the courts.

In tribal areas, alcoholism and poverty contribute to a higher incidence of domestic violence. Access to legal services is limited. Language barriers, poor transportation and distrust of government institutions discourage reporting.

One Stop Centres and legal awareness camps have been introduced, but awareness remains low. In these regions, women are often unaware that many forms of abuse are punishable under law.

Media coverage of violent crimes against women in Vidarbha has grown in recent years. This visibility has led to increased scrutiny of police performance and occasional fast-tracking of high-profile cases.

However, for the majority of victims, navigating the justice system remains challenging. Victim-blaming attitudes and concerns about social isolation continue to deter many women from coming forward.

Position Within the National Landscape

Vidarbha’s numbers fit within the larger national picture of rising crimes against women. Maharashtra ranks third in total recorded cases nationwide.

Nagpur, while not the most dangerous city, ranks among the top 10 in terms of women-related crime volume.

The city recorded 213 rape cases in the first eight months of 2024 and had already crossed 300 molestation cases by that time. Its crime rate is lower than Delhi and Mumbai, but higher than cities like Ahmedabad and Surat.

Nationally, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi report the highest number of cases. Rajasthan leads in rape incidents, while Delhi has the highest crime rate per 100,000 women.

Southern states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu report fewer sexual assaults and dowry deaths, but have seen increased reporting in cases of domestic violence and cyber harassment. Maharashtra's crime rate, when adjusted for population, is slightly higher than the national average.

Conviction rates in Maharashtra are below those in Rajasthan, where about half the completed trials for crimes against women result in guilty verdicts.

States like Odisha and Bihar record lower conviction rates than Maharashtra but show similar levels of pendency. Tamil Nadu’s use of all-women police stations and Kerala’s emphasis on education have contributed to more consistent law enforcement in those regions.

Vidarbha has not featured in the top 20 districts in India for crime risk, but several districts have shown worsening trends since 2020.

The absence of high-profile crime clusters does not mean the region is unaffected. Its position is typical of mid-tier regions: growing urban areas, semi-rural hinterlands, and patchy legal infrastructure.

The gap between recorded crimes and resolved cases in Vidarbha is consistent with national patterns. Most survivors do not receive timely justice.

The region continues to experience a combination of increased crime reporting and limited judicial response. While legal structures have been introduced, such as fast-track courts and support centres, their reach is still expanding.

The disparity between urban and rural access to justice remains a defining feature. Public campaigns have improved awareness, but cultural norms and economic vulnerability remain barriers to justice for thousands of women across Vidarbha.