Punjab’s criminal investigation system is facing renewed scrutiny after police data showed limited convictions in thousands of serious crime cases.
According to the data, 16,039 serious criminal cases were registered across the province during an 18-month period. More than 51,800 suspects were nominated in these cases, while over 31,600 suspects were arrested.
However, only 127 cases resulted in convictions during the period. At the same time, no accused person received a death sentence from any court.
The Investigation Headquarters compiled the data and submitted its report to the office of the Inspector General Punjab. The report covered cases where death sentences were considered possible outcomes.
Gang Rape Cases Show Low Conviction Rate
Police registered 2,798 gang rape cases during the period under review. Authorities cancelled 389 cases and completed challans in 4,806 cases.
Meanwhile, 133 cases remained untraced, while 608 cases were still under investigation. Police nominated 19,582 suspects in these cases and arrested 14,340 of them.
However, courts secured convictions in only six gang rape cases. Meanwhile, accused persons in 468 cases were acquitted.
The figures highlight a significant gap between the number of cases registered and the number resulting in convictions.
Thousands of Rape Cases Remain Under Investigation
The data also showed 6,504 rape cases registered during the same period. Police cancelled 1,468 cases and completed challans in 4,602 cases.
Six cases remained untraced, while another 426 cases were still under investigation. Authorities nominated 9,781 suspects and arrested 8,304 of them.
The figures indicate that a substantial number of serious cases still require investigation or further legal proceedings.
Kidnapping for Ransom Cases
Police registered 106 kidnapping-for-ransom cases during the period. Authorities cancelled 31 cases and completed challans in 68 cases.
Two cases remained untraced, while seven cases were still under investigation. Police nominated 365 suspects and arrested 241 of them.
Convictions were secured in 38 kidnapping-for-ransom cases.
Investigation System Faces Calls for Reform
The overall data has raised concerns about the effectiveness of investigations into serious crimes in Punjab. Despite thousands of cases and tens of thousands of arrests, convictions remained comparatively low.
Police data showed that 133 cases remained untraced, while 608 cases continued under investigation. In the relevant category, more than 19,500 suspects were nominated and over 14,300 arrests were recorded.
Authorities secured convictions in 90 cases, while courts acquitted accused persons in 543 cases.
Police officials have stressed the need to strengthen the investigation system. They also called for better training for investigating officers according to modern investigative requirements.
Improved investigation practices, officials said, could help strengthen the prosecution of serious criminal cases and improve outcomes before courts.
