Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa’s senior citizens are facing growing threats from crime, ranging from thefts and frauds to violent attacks, according to recently released data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In 2023 alone, 40 criminal incidents were reported where victims were aged 60 or above.
The state has continued to see crimes against the elderly through 2024 and into 2025, including six murders, a case of dacoity, and numerous frauds. Many seniors fell victim to cyber scams and financial frauds, including the so-called ‘digital arrest’ schemes, highlighting their increasing vulnerability in the digital age.
NCRB figures for 2023 indicate 14 thefts under Section 379 of the IPC and five cases of forgery, cheating, and fraud, bringing the overall crime rate against senior citizens to 24.5 per lakh. The data underscores that Goa’s ageing population is becoming a prime target for criminals, with the year also witnessing the murder of a senior citizen.
Police records reveal challenges in timely justice and investigation. Out of 56 cases under investigation in 2023, including carryovers from previous years, only 26 were resolved, while 29 remained pending at the end of the year. This reflects a pendency rate of 51.8% and a chargesheeting rate of 61.5%. Seven cases were closed due to insufficient evidence, and one was abated during investigation. Meanwhile, 13 new chargesheets were filed in 2023, alongside three from older cases.
The judicial system is also under strain, with 211 cases pending trial from previous years and 16 new cases added in 2023. Of these, only one case resulted in conviction, while 14 concluded in acquittals, highlighting the slow pace of justice for crimes against the elderly in Goa.
The data paints a worrying picture of senior citizens increasingly at risk, emphasizing the need for stronger preventive measures, faster investigations, and more robust legal safeguards.
