Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Data released by the National Crime Records Bureau for the year 2024 indicates that Goa has recorded the highest rape rate in the country when adjusted for population, reporting 13.3 cases per lakh people—more than three times the national average of 4.3.
The report shows that 105 rape cases were registered in the state during the year under relevant criminal provisions, with 106 survivors identified. A significant share of the victims, about 61 per cent, were children below 18 years, while the rest were adults.
On a per capita basis, Goa also recorded the highest incidence of sexual offences against minors at 8.1 per lakh population. Nationally, Rajasthan reported the highest total number of rape cases, whereas Chandigarh recorded the highest rate among states and Union Territories at 16.6 per lakh population.
The findings also point to weak conviction outcomes in the state, with crimes against women registering a conviction rate of 9.4 per cent.
Case pendency remains a major concern, with 91.2 per cent of cases still pending trial. This includes 1,682 older cases carried forward and 237 new cases that were sent for trial in 2024.
Despite these figures, the overall rate of crimes against women in Goa stands at 45.2 per lakh women population, which is lower than the national average of 64.6.
