India's Kidnapping Crisis: Over 116,000 Cases in 2023 with Marriage and Elopement as Key Motives

Sep 30, 2025 10:34 pm CST

According to the National Crime Records Bureau's 2023 report, India recorded over 116,000 kidnapping cases, with a 5.6% increase from 2022. Children constituted 70% of victims, with Delhi showing the highest rate. Marriage remains the primary motive, while approximately 18,000 cases involved elopement. Despite 68% of victims being recovered, judicial resolution remains ineffective with only 20.2% of cases resulting in convictions.