In 2020, with theCovidpandemic hitting and subsequentlockdown, criminal cases inGujaratdoubled to 3.81 lakh cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in comparison with the year 2019 where 1.39 lakh cases were reported.

According to theNational Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) figures, Gujarat has the highest charge sheeting rate at 97.1% in the year 2020 which is the highest among states and Union Territories across the country.

Apart from this, the number of murder cases was 982 in 2020, a slight decline from 993 cases in 2019. The number of attempted murder cases increased from 910 in 2019 to 933 in 2033, pointing to greater conflict among people during the Covid year, said a Police officer.
In road-related cases, hit-and-run offences increased from 966 in 2019 to 1,022 in 2020. Police attributed this to theCovid-19pandemic as vehicular movement was restricted for most of the time, which increased incidents of speeding and simultaneous rushing against deadlines. In crimes against Women, stalking and voyeurism offences increased according to the NCRB data.