Secunderabad GRP records rise in molestation and POCSO cases in 2025; overall crime dips by 8%

Overall crime reported by the Secunderabad Government Railway Police (GRP) declined by 8% in 2025, even as thefts on trains and railway premises rose sharply, according to the annual crime statistics released by the GRP.

The total number of cases dropped from 2,835 in 2024 to 2,607 in 2025, marking a reduction of 8.04%. The decline was driven largely by a fall in bodily and other offences, which came down from 1,971 cases in 2024 to 1,538 in 2025, or nearly 22%. Cases of theft recorded a rise, increasing from 829 cases in 2024 to 1,013 in 2025, marking a jump of around 22.2%.

Kidnapping cases rose from two cases in 2024 to 10 in 2025. Cases of molestation and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act also rose from six to 16 cases, a rise of nearly 167%.

Several serious crimes, however, showed a downward trend. Murders for gain fell from three cases in 2024 to zero in 2025. Robbery cases dipped marginally from 14 to 13. Attempts to murder remained unchanged at two cases in both years.

The Secunderabad GRP registered 54 cases in 2025 and arrested 70 offenders involved in drug trafficking and peddling along railway routes. The GRP seized 817.824 kilograms of dry ganja. In addition 80 kilograms of jaggery and 20 kilograms of alum, both used for preparing illicit liquor, 101.25 litres of whiskey was also seized.

The year also saw a rise in child rescue operations. A total of 500 children were rescued in 2025, compared to 84 in 2024, an increase of nearly 495%, with a substantial rise in the number of boys rescued from 59 to 425.

Accidental deaths fell from 735 in 2024 to 629 in 2025, a reduction of 14.4%. Death by suicide on railway property dropped from 630 to 529, a decline of 16%, while natural deaths came down from 206 to 159, a fall of nearly 23%. “Deaths constitute a significant number of complaints for each of the GRP police stations, around 50%. But the deaths have reduced this year, which is a welcome change,” Railways Superintendent of Police Chandana Deepti said.

Property recovery showed an improvement despite the rise in thefts. The value of recovered property increased from ₹43.17 lakh in 2024 to ₹47.22 lakh in 2025, recording an improvement of over 9%, though the value of property lost also went up during the year to ₹4.89 crore as compared to ₹3.74 crore in 2024.

“The focus on dismantling criminal networks is our priority. We have created criminal database with all GRPs with an aim to keep a watch on repeat criminals. We are continuously working to update the criminal networks database,” Ms. Deepti said.