Amitesh Kumar Rebuts Supriya Sule’s Claims, Says Pune Among India’s Safest Cities
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 1st June 2026: Responding to NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule’s allegation that Pune is turning into the “crime capital” of Maharashtra, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has said that crime in the city has been on a consistent decline since 2023 and that Pune remains one of the safest metropolitan cities in the country.
In a letter addressed to the MP, Kumar refuted claims of rising crime and presented statistics to support the police department’s performance. The letter comes in the wake of Sule’s demand that the Police Commissioner be sent on compulsory leave following a series of serious incidents reported in the city.
According to Kumar, Pune ranks 18th among 19 metropolitan cities in India in terms of cognisable crime rate, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), making it one of the safest major cities in the country.
The Police Commissioner stated that over the past two years, Pune Police have registered nearly 200 cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and taken action against more than 1,000 criminals. Additionally, preventive action has been taken against 250 individuals under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA), while over 500 offenders have been externed from the city.
Highlighting the police force’s anti-narcotics efforts, Kumar said that drugs worth ₹20 crore have been seized over the last two years. He also pointed to the dismantling of an international drug racket worth ₹3,700 crore in 2024.
The Commissioner acknowledged that five serious incidents occurred within a span of ten days in May 2026, creating a perception that crime was increasing. However, he maintained that overall crime trends indicate a significant decline across most categories.
Crime Statistics Show Declining Trend
According to Pune Police data for the period between January 1 and May 27, 2026:
• Chain-snatching cases declined by 56 per cent.
• Robbery cases dropped by 36 per cent.
• Vehicle theft and attempted murder cases fell by 28 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively.
• Housebreaking and theft cases decreased by 14 per cent and 24 per cent.
• Murder cases declined by 10.5 per cent. Of the six additional murder cases recorded, ten were linked to internal family disputes.
• Rape cases fell by 7 per cent, while molestation cases declined by 1 per cent.
• Incidents of vehicle vandalism dropped by more than 50 per cent due to increased patrolling and public awareness efforts.
Safe City Measures and Response Systems
The Commissioner highlighted several initiatives undertaken by Pune Police, including the installation of 2,800 CCTV cameras under the Safe City project. He also said that an ₹80-crore artificial intelligence-based surveillance project has been approved to enhance women’s safety in hill areas across the city.
Kumar added that the emergency response time under the Dial 112 system has been reduced to just eight minutes.
Clarifies Bakri Eid Restrictions
Addressing concerns over restrictions during the Bakri Eid festival, Kumar clarified that the police notification issued recently should not be misconstrued as a lockdown.
He stated that only temporary stalls and street vendors operating after 10 pm have been restricted, while licensed and authorised shops are permitted to function as usual.
The Commissioner further said that action has been taken against nearly 1,000 illegal liquor sellers, with liquor and related materials worth over ₹1 crore seized during enforcement drives.
Warning against Misinformation
Kumar cautioned against the circulation of misleading crime statistics on social media, saying such information creates distrust among citizens and can be exploited by anti-social elements.
“Misleading statistics on social media create an atmosphere of mistrust among citizens. Anti-social elements take advantage of this, leading to the city’s defamation and affecting the morale of the police force. We welcome constructive criticism, but preserving Pune’s identity as an IT and education hub requires collective cooperation,” he said.
