Bihar Violent Crimes Plunge to Lowest Levels in 25 Years
Bihar has witnessed a dramatic reduction in serious violent crimes over the past two and a half decades. Data spanning from 2001 to 2025, recently shared by Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar, shows traditional offences that once fueled the state's 'Jungle Raj' image are now declining significantly.
Murder Cases Show Steady Downward Trend
Murder cases in Bihar have dropped to their lowest point in 25 years. The state recorded 3,619 murder cases in 2001. Numbers remained above 3,000 between 2005 and 2015 before beginning a steady decline from 2016 onward. Despite brief increases in 2019 and 2020, the downward trajectory continued, reaching just 2,556 cases in 2025.
Dacoity and Robbery Incidents Sharply Decline
Dacoity presents one of the most striking long-term declines in the dataset. From more than 1,200 cases annually in the early 2000s, including a peak of 1,297 cases in 2004, numbers fell steadily over the next two decades. By 2025, dacoity cases had plummeted to just 174 – a reduction of more than 80 percent over 25 years.
Robbery cases also show a clear downward trajectory from their early peak. After reaching 2,909 cases in 2004, robberies declined sharply to a low of 1,266 cases in 2012. The figure stood at 1,558 cases in 2025, nearly half the level recorded in 2004.
Riot-Related Cases Experience Most Pronounced Drop
Riot-related cases demonstrate the most dramatic decrease. From 8,520 cases in 2001, riots surged through the 2000s and early 2010s, peaking at 13,566 cases in 2014. Since then, numbers have dropped sharply, falling to just 2,502 cases in 2025 – the lowest since 2001 and an over 80% decline from the mid-2010s peak.
Rape Cases Show Different Pattern
Unlike other violent crimes, rape cases have shown an upward trend over the past two decades. Cases increased from 746 in 2000 to a peak of 2,205 in 2024. The year 2025 saw a marginal decrease to 2,025 cases, though levels remain significantly higher than two decades ago.
Non-Violent Crimes Drive Overall Increase
Despite the notable decline in violent crimes, total cognizable crime in Bihar has increased. This rise is largely driven by non-violent offences including theft, burglary, non-ransom kidnapping, cyber-related complaints, and regulatory offences.
Theft has emerged as one of the largest contributors to overall cognizable crime over the past decade. Burglary followed a similar upward trajectory, though at a smaller scale. Kidnapping for ransom has actually declined over the past two decades, from 385 cases in 2001 to just 52 cases by 2024.
Experts Point to Increased Reporting
Law enforcement experts suggest the increase in cognizable crime does not automatically indicate deteriorating law and order. They argue it often reflects expanded reporting, greater legal awareness, and improved access to police stations and online systems.
"An increase in cognizable crime does not automatically indicate a deterioration in law and order," said a former officer speaking anonymously. "It often reflects expanded reporting, legal awareness, and greater access to police stations and online systems."
Police Action Intensifies Across Multiple Fronts
Presenting the annual report, Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar confirmed the state saw a decline in major crimes compared to 2024, even as police stepped up arrests, seizures, and preventive actions.
During 2025, Bihar Police recovered 4,963 illegal firearms and seized 54 licensed weapons along with 30,133 cartridges. They uncovered 74 illegal mini gun factories and seized 89 bombs, 288 detonators, counterfeit currency worth ₹3,97,700 in Indian currency and $17,000 in foreign currency, 7,301.539 grams of heroin, 68,270.86 kg of ganja, and 22,727 vehicles.
Special Operations Yield Significant Results
The DGP cited intensified operations by the Special Task Force and anti-Naxal units. STF encounters rose from eight in 2024 to 29 in 2025, while arrests of organized criminals more than doubled. Police arrested 134 Naxals and saw six key cadres surrender, pushing Naxal groups to what authorities describe as the "brink of collapse" in parts of the state.
Enforcement of prohibition laws continued vigorously, with recovery of 17,39,976 litres of domestic liquor and 18,99,623 litres of foreign liquor. The crackdown led to zero reported cases of toxic alcohol deaths in 2025.
The comprehensive data reveals a shifting crime landscape in Bihar, with traditional violent crimes declining even as police maintain aggressive enforcement across multiple domains.
