By Soniya:
Telangana reported the highest number of human trafficking cases in India during 2024, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report. The State registered 423 cases, accounting for nearly 20% of the country’s total 2,135 human trafficking cases.
The NCRB, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, compiles annual crime statistics across States and Union Territories. Human trafficking is treated as a cognisable offence under the Indian Penal Code and related special laws.
Telangana recorded a trafficking crime rate of 1.1 cases per lakh population in 2024, significantly higher than the national average of 0.2. The State had also topped the list in 2022 with 391 cases and ranked second in 2023 with 336 cases, after Maharashtra.
According to the report, Telangana identified 814 trafficking victims in 2024, including 792 women. Among them, 770 victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation and prostitution. In 2023, the State police rescued 626 persons, including 604 women, from trafficking networks.
Despite the high number of cases, the conviction rate remained low. Telangana recorded a conviction rate of only 3.7% in 2023, with nine convictions out of 1,058 arrests and 873 chargesheeted individuals.
The data highlights the continuing challenge of human trafficking in India and underlines the need for stronger law enforcement, victim rehabilitation, and preventive measures to combat exploitation and organised trafficking networks.
