Bihar Police responds to Tejashwi Yadav’s criticism on law and order

Patna(The Uttam Hindu): Bihar Police has issued a detailed response to Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who has raised alarms about the worsening law and order situation in the state. In response to a recent post by Tejashwi Yadav, which mentioned 76 alleged criminal incidents, the Police Headquarters clarified that 46 of those incidents had been identified and thoroughly investigated. The police reported that 112 individuals had been arrested and jailed in connection with these 46 incidents.

From January 1 to April 7, 2025, a total of 1,632 people were arrested in murder cases, 947 were apprehended for attacking police personnel, 697 were arrested for robbery, and 281 were detained for dacoity-related crimes. The police emphasized that most of the incidents mentioned by Tejashwi Yadav were relatively minor, stemming from issues such as financial disputes, land conflicts, family feuds, romantic relationships, and mobile-related arguments.

Each case is being investigated with full commitment and integrity, the police assured. They also criticized what they called "unnecessary and demoralizing" commentary on social media. The Police Headquarters pointed out that Yadav’s post lacked specifics such as dates and police station names, making several of the incidents difficult to verify.

Furthermore, the police warned that sensationalizing law and order issues could harm the morale of security forces. Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the Bihar Police pointed out that the state ranks 14th in murder cases per lakh population. In 2022, Bihar’s cognizable crime rate was 277.1 per lakh population, well below the national average of 422.2, with the state ranking 19th in this regard.

In terms of crime under the Indian Penal Code, Bihar’s rate stood at 168.1 per lakh, placing it 21st among Indian states and union territories. The police noted that a majority of crimes were related to personal enmity, illicit relations, or disputes. In 2021, 69.73% of crimes were connected to these causes, with the percentage rising to 71.20% in 2022 and 73.69% in 2023.

The Police Headquarters concluded by reiterating their commitment to public safety and transparent policing, urging political leaders to refrain from undermining ongoing investigations with incomplete or misleading information.

When compared to other major states, Bihar’s crime rate remains lower. For instance, the national cognizable crime rate is 422, while states like Andhra Pradesh (368.2), Gujarat (738.9), Haryana (810.4), and Kerala (1274.8) have higher crime rates. Bihar’s rate stands at 277.1 per lakh population.