NEW DELHI: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) did not release data for certain crimes such as lynchings and honour killings as the figures sent by states and Union Territories were “unreliable”, sources said.

“It was observed that data received for certain newly-created crime heads are unreliable and their definitions are also prone to misinterpretation. Accordingly, data related to the crime heads have not been published,” a source said.

Crimes for which data was found unreliable included offences against journalists, RTI activists and whistle-blowers; crimes committed by religious preachers, khap panchayats and illegal migrants; honour killings; murders such as lynching among others.

Explaining the delay in releasing the data for 2017, sources said new data collection and compilation software was prepared and officials were trained to use it. States/UTs were also asked to provide information on additional parameters/ crime heads. “Following persistent follow-ups since August 2018, final data (after removal of errors) was received only in July 2019. Hence, the delay in publication of the report,” the source said.

