With a special focus on cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences(POCSO) Act in Tirupati district, the Police Department has initiated a mechanism to closely monitor accused persons, aiming to strengthen the protective framework for children.
On the lines of rowdy sheets, the district police opened 187 POCSO sheets in 2025 against individuals identified as accused in sexual offences involving children.
The district reported 10 instances of POCSO and rape cases during the year within the limits of Kota, Tiruchanur, Venkatagiri, Sullurpeta (two cases), Chandragiri, Srikalahasti rural, Chillakuru, B. N. Kandriga and Naidupeta. As many as nine persons were convicted in POCSO cases, of whom four were sentenced to life imprisonment, four others to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, and one to less than 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
It is not just about booking a case, but about continuously monitoring offenders, especially married adults who prey on unsuspecting minors in their neighbourhoods, Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu said while addressing the media at the year-end crime review meeting on Sunday.
Taking a firm stand against crimes against women, the district police chief recalled the efforts made to get the Shakti app installed on 19,388 mobile phones belonging to women, through 11 Shakti teams formed across the district.
A total of 4,296 awareness meetings were conducted in schools, hostels and colleges on crimes against women and ways to stay protected. In addition, Mahila teams explained the concept of ‘Good touch and bad touch’ to schoolgirls, he said.
Cybercrime cases declined to 186 in 2025 from 241 in 2024. However, the amount of money lost was significantly higher, largely due to recent instances of digital arrest scams, phishing and similar frauds.
The Mobilehunt application helped in the recovery of 2,485 stolen mobile phones worth ₹4.97 crore in 2025, compared to 2,003 mobiles worth ₹4 crore recovered in the previous year.
Curated by James Chen
