Representative image NEW DELHI: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has for the first time tracked the cases of cruelty against animals and compiled the data, noting registration of 9,039 cases and arrest of 10,312 persons in the country in 2024.Maharashtra recorded the highest number (2,356) of such cases followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,346), Uttar Pradesh (1,121), Gujarat (526) and Tamil Nadu (457).The data tracks animal cruelty cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, ranging from FIR registration and investigation to filing of chargesheet and court disposal. It gives India its first national-level statistical picture of how animal cruelty offences are handled by the system.The report shows the police disposed of nearly 77% (6,969) of the total cases with 2,070 cases, approximately 23%, pending investigation at year-end in 2024.The bureau also separately records 8,660 cases of animal theft, valued at Rs 48.8 crore, with a recovery rate of nearly 45%, exceeding the national average for property crimes.“The formal recording of crimes under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by the NCRB is a significant step toward transparency and data driven governance. While many cases still go unreported, moving from anecdotes to hard data allows us to clearly see how the system is functioning,” said the animal welfare activist, Gauri Maulekhi.She told TOI that the dataset provides a valuable roadmap to examine the entire criminal justice chain, from police responsiveness to judicial resolution. “Overall, this is a major step in the right direction for our legal system and a strong foundation for future progress,” said Maulekhi.At the trial stage, the data reflects a high conviction rate of more than 80%, rising to nearly 94% in metropolitan areas, demonstrating that cases which reach conclusion are largely supported by evidence. At the same time, over 82% of cases remain pending for trial before courts, pointing to significant delays in judicial disposal.Calling the NCRB’s move a “historic step”, Shreemoyee Chakraborty from the People For Animals said, “This is a step in the right direction by the govt and marks an important shift in how animal cruelty is recognised within India’s criminal justice system.”About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor StrikesSanjay Raut Writes To Donald Trump Over Bengal Polls, Questions BJP Victory PraiseDeadly Hantavirus Outbreak On Luxury Cruise Ship | 3 Dead, Indians Among Crew Onboard MV HondiusDMK Denies Possibility Of Alliance With AIADMK As Vijay’s TVK Reshapes Tamil Nadu Politics123PhotostoriesToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?10 best UNESCO spa towns of Europe where people visit for wellness and healingSuryakumar Yadav and Devisha Shetty become parents for the first time: Their love storyBird Flu outbreak in Maharashtra: How humans can get infected and the symptoms experts want you to watchR. Ashwin, aka “Spin Wizard”, Chennai home is a crores-worth haven blending comfort, family life and cricketing successOnion juice vs onion oil: Which is better for summer hair fall control?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak
NEW DELHI: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has for the first time tracked the cases of cruelty against animals and compiled the data, noting registration of 9,039 cases and arrest of 10,312 persons in the country in 2024.Maharashtra recorded the highest number (2,356) of such cases followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,346), Uttar Pradesh (1,121), Gujarat (526) and Tamil Nadu (457).The data tracks animal cruelty cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, ranging from FIR registration and investigation to filing of chargesheet and court disposal. It gives India its first national-level statistical picture of how animal cruelty offences are handled by the system.The report shows the police disposed of nearly 77% (6,969) of the total cases with 2,070 cases, approximately 23%, pending investigation at year-end in 2024.The bureau also separately records 8,660 cases of animal theft, valued at Rs 48.8 crore, with a recovery rate of nearly 45%, exceeding the national average for property crimes.“The formal recording of crimes under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by the NCRB is a significant step toward transparency and data driven governance. While many cases still go unreported, moving from anecdotes to hard data allows us to clearly see how the system is functioning,” said the animal welfare activist, Gauri Maulekhi.She told TOI that the dataset provides a valuable roadmap to examine the entire criminal justice chain, from police responsiveness to judicial resolution. “Overall, this is a major step in the right direction for our legal system and a strong foundation for future progress,” said Maulekhi.At the trial stage, the data reflects a high conviction rate of more than 80%, rising to nearly 94% in metropolitan areas, demonstrating that cases which reach conclusion are largely supported by evidence. At the same time, over 82% of cases remain pending for trial before courts, pointing to significant delays in judicial disposal.Calling the NCRB’s move a “historic step”, Shreemoyee Chakraborty from the People For Animals said, “This is a step in the right direction by the govt and marks an important shift in how animal cruelty is recognised within India’s criminal justice system.”
