Crime rises in Ladakh but UT still records India’s lowest crime rate: NCRB data

NCRB data shows 522 cases registered in the UT, with a high 85.6% charge-sheeting rate reflecting efficient police action

Ladakh, often described as India’s most peaceful Union Territory, reported a slight rise in crime cases in 2023, according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) cited by PTI.

The UT registered 522 cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) last year, an increase from 478 in 2022, though still below the 559 recorded in 2021.

With a population of just around three lakh, this translates into a cognizable crime rate of 173.4 per lakh people, or one crime for roughly every 577 residents.

Crime trends: a mixed picture

The NCRB data reveals fluctuating trends:

IPC cases fell to 439 in 2022, down from 519 in 2021, but climbed back to 459 in 2023.
SLL cases rose steadily, from 40 in 2021 and 39 in 2022 to 63 in 2023.
The charge-sheeting rate, a measure of how many cases investigated reach court, stood at 85.6% overall and a striking 98.6% for SLL cases, reflecting efficient police work.

Officials told PTI the high charge-sheeting rate underscores effective investigation and monitoring, even as the small population base and Ladakh’s strategic location keep crime levels under close scrutiny.

Murders, accidents and negligence

Despite its low crime rate, Ladakh was not untouched by serious incidents. In 2023, the UT recorded:

Two murder cases
56 deaths due to negligence, of which 49 were from road accidents (including five hit-and-run cases)
These figures underline how road safety continues to be a pressing issue in the region.

Crimes against women and children

On sensitive categories, Ladakh reported in 2023:

Two incidents of rape
Six abduction cases
Five cases of missing children believed to be abducted

Though the numbers are small compared to other states, they are significant given Ladakh’s small population base.

Public order: rioting and unrest

Interestingly, NCRB records show Ladakh reported seven incidents of rioting last year, including one case of promoting enmity between groups. However, there were no sedition cases or crimes against the state.

Ladakh’s crime paradox

Even with this uptick in cases, Ladakh continues to hold the distinction of being the Union Territory with the lowest crime graph in India. Analysts note that while the absolute numbers are small, the per capita rate offers useful insights into challenges for law enforcement in small, strategically sensitive regions.

As crime levels fluctuate year-on-year, Ladakh remains a rare case where law and order indicators are far below the national average — but where each incident carries disproportionate weight because of the region’s size and importance.