Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir recorded the second-lowest rate of murder cases among all states and Union territories in 2023, with less than one case per one lakh population, according to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The Union Territory saw a 38% decline in murders over two years, from 136 cases in 2021 to 99 in 2022 and 84 in 2023. The murder rate in J&K was 0.6 per lakh, well below the national average of 2 and the Union Territories' average of 1.7. Only Lakshadweep recorded a lower rate - zero. Among UTs, Delhi had the highest murder rate (2.4), while Manipur topped the states chart (4.7).

Despite the low rate, J&K had the second-highest number of murder cases among the eight UTs, after Delhi (506 cases). NCRB recorded 101 victims in J&K in 2023 - 86 males and 15 females, including three children. Most victims (41) were aged 18–30. Cases were attributed to personal vendetta (23), family disputes (28), extremism/insurgency (8), and love affairs (6). No murders were reported due to dowry, political reasons, honour killings, witchcraft, human sacrifice, communal, religious, or caste-based motives.

Investigations in J&K remain slow. The chargesheeting rate for murder cases was 72%, the lowest among UTs and below the all-India rate of 85.7%.

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