Nagpur: Despite achieving a 100% detection rate in body offences, the Nagpur Police Department is struggling to curb vehicle thefts, with detection rates plummeting below 30%. Recent data reveals a concerning trend in the city’s handling of vehicle theft investigations, sparking public and administrative concern.
Between January and June 2025, a total of 871 vehicles — including two-wheelers and four-wheelers — were stolen from various parts of Nagpur. This translates to an average of five vehicle thefts per day. However, only 228 vehicles were recovered during this period, resulting in a detection rate of just 26%.
The issue, however, is not limited to 2025. Over the past four years, Nagpur has recorded more than 7,700 vehicle thefts, out of which only around 2,600 have been recovered. This leaves over 5,000 vehicles still missing, raising serious questions about the effectiveness and efficiency of police investigations into property-related crimes.
Experts attribute the surge in thefts to the rising number and high market value of two-wheelers, which remain the most targeted category by vehicle lifters. Despite this growing trend, detection rates have been consistently declining year after year, prompting concerns over whether law enforcement agencies are giving adequate priority to such cases.
Across the city, abandoned vehicles gathering dust at police stations reflect the scale of untraced and unclaimed vehicles. While the Nagpur Traffic Police recently initiated a special drive to identify owners of these abandoned vehicles, critics argue the move was too late and largely ineffective in addressing the broader issue.
Speaking to media, Commissioner of Police Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal identified two key obstacles in solving vehicle theft cases: lack of CCTV coverage and delayed reporting.
“In most vehicle theft cases, there’s hardly any CCTV footage available. Plus, many victims report the crime after the ‘golden hours’ have passed, which gives criminals an edge and complicates investigations,” said Dr. Singal.
He further added that the department is actively working to improve recovery rates, citing last year’s breakthrough where over 200 vehicles were recovered in a single operation. “This year too, multiple vehicles have been traced in bulk,” he noted.
On the issue of unclaimed vehicles languishing at police stations, the CP assured that continuous efforts are underway to verify ownership and clear them through legal channels.
