Economic offences rise by over 33% in Gujarat in 2023 compared to previous year

The number of economic offences in Gujarat saw a significant rise of 33.84% in 2023 as 4,912 cases were registered in 2023, compared to 3,670 in 2022, the data in the latest report of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) showed.

While such cases saw a jump of only 6% across the country as compared to 2022, Gujarat reported an increase of over 33%.

Of these 4,912 cases registered in 2023, the maximum number of 4,082 cases were about forgery, cheating and fraud related to the section 420, 465 and 468, 471, 231-243, 255 and 489 A to 489 E of the Indian penal Code (IPC).

The report said that 796 cases were related to criminal breach of trust punishable under section 406 to 409 of IPC, whereas 34 cases were about counterfeiting.

Loss of property – forgery, cheating and fraud cases

In 205 forgery, cheating, and fraud related cases in the state, the loss of property was of more than ₹1 crore, whereas in 250 cases, it was between ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. 689 cases were the amount of property loss was between ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. The highest amount of cases of loss of property – in 1,124 cases – was between ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Criminal breach of trust

Similarly, in 76 cases related to criminal breach of trust, the loss property was of more than ₹1 crore, whereas in 80 cases it was between ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. In almost 168 cases, the figure of loss lies between ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.

In 281 cases under various sections of IPC related to economic losses, the loss of property was between ₹1 crore to ₹100 crore. In 330 cases, the loss of property was between ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Total 8,251 persons were arrested under various sections of IPC related to economic losses in the year 2023. 511 out of 8,251 persons arrested were women allegedly involved in economic related offences.

Apart from this, 313 people were convicted, whereas 4,295 persons were acquitted and 223 were discharged in the offences.