Patna district has witnessed a significant improvement in its law and order situation, recording a substantial 8.3% decline in overall cognizable offences during the first eleven months of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024. The most encouraging trend, according to senior police officials, is the sharp fall in serious and heinous crimes.
Strategic Policing Yields Dramatic Results
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma attributed this positive development to a sustained and aggressive strategy focused on dismantling the primary enablers of serious crime: illegal firearms and narcotics. Under his leadership, the Patna Police implemented a multi-pronged approach involving intensive vehicle checks, targeted raids, enhanced technical surveillance, and intelligence-driven operations.
"This focused effort was aimed at disrupting the supply chains of illegal weapons and drugs, which has created a visible deterrent effect across the district," SSP Sharma stated. The statistics reveal the impact of this strategy in stark detail.
Category-Wise Breakdown of Crime Reduction
The data from January to November 2025 shows dramatic reductions across major crime categories:
- Murder cases fell by 34.8%, from 344 in 2024 to 224 in 2025.
- Dacoity witnessed a steep 52.9% decline, dropping from 34 incidents to just 16.
- Robbery incidents decreased by 45.4%, and extortion cases plummeted by 53.6%.
- Housebreaking saw a 28.7% reduction, while general theft reduced by 22.7%.
- Cases of rape registered a significant 53.3% reduction.
- General riots fell by 62.5%, and communal riots saw a massive 75% drop.
One category, however, showed an increase: cases registered under the Arms Act rose by 38.3%. Police clarified that this spike reflects intensified enforcement actions and proactive seizures, not a rise in criminal activity.
Massive Haul of Illegal Arms and Drugs
The police's crackdown on illegal arms led to significant recoveries, demonstrating the scale of the problem they tackled. The seized arsenal included:
- 360 country-made pistols and 141 country-made revolvers.
- 38 rifles, five revolvers, eight double-barrel guns, and one AK-47.
- Over 3,800 cartridges, 218 shells, and 32 misfire units.
- Police also successfully busted five illegal mini gun factories operating within the district.
On the narcotics front, the force detected cases under the NDPS Act involving seizures worth approximately Rs 8 crore before the elections and an additional Rs 1.5 crore thereafter. Major recoveries of smack and opium were reported from areas including Maner and Gopalpur.
Arrests and Convictions Strengthen Law & Order
SSP Sharma reported that 9,964 accused involved in serious crimes were arrested up to November 2025. Furthermore, swift investigations backed by scientific and technical evidence led to the conviction of 6,176 accused during the year.
He emphasized that close coordination with public prosecutors and courts, coupled with the filing of quality charge sheets and proactive policing, played a pivotal role in achieving these convictions and strengthening the overall legal process.
"The declining trend in major crimes reflects the effectiveness of focused, evidence-based policing," Sharma added. "It sends a strong and clear message that criminal elements will face relentless and decisive action in Patna."
