Crimes Against Women in Mumbai: Rape, Kidnapping Cases Decline, Marriage Fraud Cases Jump in 2026

Mumbai witnessed a decline in several categories of crimes against women during the first six months of the year, according to crime statistics released by the Mumbai Police for the period ending June 30. However, authorities recorded a significant rise in cases where women alleged they were sexually exploited after being lured into relationships with false promises of marriage.

Police data shows that 456 rape cases were registered between January and June this year, compared to 476 cases during the same period last year, reflecting a decrease of 20 cases. Of the total cases reported this year, investigators have solved 441.

Despite the overall decline in rape cases, incidents involving sexual relationships established through deception, particularly false assurances of marriage, increased sharply. Such cases rose from 126 in the first half of last year to 179 during the corresponding period this year, marking an increase of 53 cases.

The data also indicates a drop in offences related to outraging the modesty of women. These cases fell from 1,294 in the first six months of last year to 1,141 this year. On the other hand, cases involving intentional insults to the modesty of women registered an upward trend, climbing from 440 to 559.

Kidnapping cases involving women and girls also declined. Mumbai Police recorded 669 such cases up to June 30 this year, including 664 involving minor girls and five involving adult women. During the same period last year, 720 kidnapping cases were reported, of which 716 involved minor girls.

Meanwhile, complaints of physical and mental cruelty related to dowry showed a slight increase, rising from 246 cases last year to 260 this year. In contrast, cases involving harassment of married women for reasons unrelated to dowry dropped from 253 to 227 during the same period.

The latest crime figures suggest that while Mumbai has seen an overall reduction in several offences against women, certain crimes, particularly those involving deception through false promises of marriage and intentional insults to women's modesty, continue to pose significant challenges for law enforcement.

Also Read: Mumbai Records 17% Dip in Women-Related Crimes in January 2026