46 per cent increase in crimes against children in Karnataka, nearly 8,000 cases in 2022: NCRB
Bengaluru, Dec 6: Karnataka recorded a 46 per cent increase in crimes against children over the last two years, official statistics in the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report released a few days ago show.
Police registered 7988 cases in 2022 in comparison to 5471 in 2020 and 7261 the next year. Many of these cases were under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCS), the report said.
An analysis of the 2022 NCRB data shows that among 28 Indian states, Karnataka recorded the eighth highest number of crimes against children. Maharashtra was first on that list with 20,762 cases followed by Madhya Pradesh (20,415) and Uttar Pradesh (18,682).
The rate of cases related to crimes against children in Karnataka stood at 41.3 per lakh population while chargsheeting in such cases was at 58.5, according to the 2022 NCRB data.
Of the total number of FIRs related to crimes against children in the state in 2022, the highest were under the POCSO Act at 3155, followed by 3,035 cases under kidnapping and abduction, 215 cases under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and 239 cases related to cyber crimes.
The data of crimes against children in 2022 also included 84 cases of murder, 22 cases of attempt to murder, 13 cases of abetment of suicide of child, two cases of foeticide and one case of infanticide, the data showed.
Karanataka also registered 96 cases related to abandonment, 58 cases of simple hurt, 10 cases of grievous hurt, 77 cases under Juvenile Justice Act and 62 cases under Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
Last year, 100 cases related to crimes against children were transferred to another state or agency while it was observed that in 179 FIRs, the cases were "true" but there was either insufficient or untraceable evidence or no clue.
Totally, 7,572 such cases were disposed off by police, the data showed.
Further analysis of the NCRB data also showed that 2,317 cases ended as "false" and 529 cases ended as "mistake" of fact or of law or civil dispute.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
