Crime in India: Uncovering the deeper causes behind rising brutality

The gruesome incident in Bengaluru last month left a chilling imprint on the public's mind. A 29-year-old woman's decomposed body, dismembered into over 50 parts and stored in a refrigerator, left a deep sense of unease and fear throughout the city. Reportedly, Mukti Ranjan Ray, the prime suspect, died by suicide in Odisha, leaving a confession note. The inquiry indicated that Mahalakshmi was murdered due to a property dispute. The police were able to track down the culprit, Mukti Ranjan Ray, in Odisha, but he allegedly died by suicide before he could be caught.

However, this is not the first such horrific killing. Last year, cases like the Shraddha Walkar murder, Mira Road murder and many more were witnessed. And each crime was as gruesome-if not more-as previous cases.

Sensationalised cases like this one not only grip public attention but also reflect deeper underlying societal issues that demand urgent reflection. Such incidents of gore and brute force have reignited the debate on whether crimes are becoming more brutal and whether socioeconomic factors like poverty, unemployment, and rising societal stress are playing a role in fostering these violent tendencies.

Mid-day spoke to experts to understand whether such acts are caused by broader socioeconomic issues rather than individual moral faults.

Socio-economic factors impact crimes

Dr Ruchi Sinha Associate Professor at TISS Centre of Criminology and Justice, said that the reporting of crimes has increased. "Violent crimes - such as murders, rapes, grievous hurt, and robberies - significantly impact society, resulting in economic repercussions for survivors and their families, as well as emotional and physical tolls on communities. Recent data sets have expanded to include deaths by negligence (particularly road accidents), acid attacks, assaults on women, sexual harassment, hate crimes, economic crimes, and cybercrimes, leading to increased reporting of incidents," said Dr Ruchi.

When asked whether underlying socio-economic factors were driving increasingly violent crimes, Dr Sinha told mid-day that various factors contribute to rising crimes in India.

"One of the factors is said to be socioeconomic conditions, including unemployment and substance abuse, which can foster environments conducive to crime. Research suggests resource distribution disparities can create resentment, potentially driving individuals toward criminal behaviour. However, it's essential to understand these dynamics to develop a nuanced perspective on crime rather than attribute it solely to income inequality, said Dr Sinha.

Systemic issues, such as inequality, must be addressed to promote social cohesion. Additionally, economic difficulties - especially in the wake of the pandemic - have contributed to rising tensions that may lead to increased violent crimes," Dr Sinha said and added that it was crucial to remember that white-collar crimes like embezzlement and scams can cause widespread harm which "often exceeds the impact of single violent crime".

She said, "These (white-collar) crimes undermine economic stability, erode trust in institutions, and can result in significant financial losses for individuals and communities. The ripple effects of white-collar crime can affect countless lives, leading to long-term socio-economic repercussions that may be more pervasive than those resulting from individual acts of violence. Addressing both violent and white-collar crimes is crucial for fostering a safe and equitable society."

Dr Tanaya Kamlakar, assistant professor and Director, Centre for Research in Criminal Justice, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai, speaking to mid-day said that brutality of a crime, according to her, is deeply rooted in psychological factors.

"Killing someone is just one aspect of the crime; what transpires subsequently exposes the perpetrator's psychological state. Some may commit murder and then attempt to dispose of the body for fear of getting caught, as evidenced in cases such as Shraddha Walkar and others," Dr Tanaya said and added, "In such cases, the emphasis is on eliminating evidence. However, dismembering a body, even during disposal, necessitates a high level of detachment and psychological harshness. This pattern of action, which has grown over time, reveals a worrying desensitisation to violence and empathy, driven in part by a desire to avoid repercussions."

Dr Tanaya further stated, "The law tends to focus on the heinousness of the crime and its impact on society's conscience, but this approach overlooks the psychological complexities behind such acts. Criminology and victimology reveal varying degrees of intent and emotional responses in these cases - some killers feel regret, while others exhibit an increasing level of brutality."

She said that the psychological shift from murdering to dismembering a body is an indication of a "loss of empathy and an emotional blindness" which allows the accused persons to continue their actions sans remorse.

"While some may argue that dismemberment is simply a way to dispose of the body, it cannot completely overshadow the underlying brutality involved," she added.

When asked whether she has noticed a pattern in the crimes, Dr Tanya said she would rather term it as a "disturbing trend" wherein the perpetrators increasingly have been targeting the vulnerable.

"In many cases involving sexual harassment and abuse under the POCSO Act, or crimes against young women, perpetrators identify and exploit their victims' emotional or physical fragility. For instance, in the recent Bengaluru case, the victim's emotional vulnerability, possibly rooted in love or trust towards her partner, was manipulated. Similarly, in the Shraddha Walkar case, the perpetrator displayed extreme brutality by softening her body under a shower to make it easier to dismember - a chilling example of calculated and premeditated violence," she said.

"This demonstrates a combination of savagery, rigorous preparation, and a complete lack of empathy. The pattern indicates that these criminals are increasingly fixated on their victims' weaknesses, exploiting them as entrance points to assert dominance and control. When they recognise vulnerability, whether emotional, physical, or situational, they take full advantage of it, making the crime even more deliberate and vicious."

Psychological factors leading to brutality

Individuals' mental health is another key issue that must be considered while considering the increasing brutality of crimes. Mental health practitioners believe that continuous exposure to trauma can lead to the escalation of violent behaviour.

Dr Avinash Desousa, Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, said, "Many people who commit acts of cruelty suffer from mental health problems, such as antisocial personality disorder or substance abuse. Furthermore, unresolved trauma, particularly from a young age, might cause increased aggression."

Dr Desouza said that such persons may remember traumatic past experiences and reenact them in violent ways. He said that the suppressed rage and violence "frequently manifests itself in harsh behaviours" and that some might even take satisfaction in causing pain.

Trauma processing differs from person to person - some recover, while others grow more violent, particularly if they were abused or witnessed violence as children, Dr Avinash said.

He added, "Early intervention is critical when dealing with trauma. It must be addressed quickly to avoid long-term psychological consequences. Additionally, media exposure, particularly to violence on screens and OTT platforms, must be controlled. To create a healthier mindset, schools and institutions should begin teaching emotional intelligence and sensitivity to violence early."

He suggested that a dedicated rehabilitation program is essential for first-time offenders to prevent repeat offences. He said it helps break the cycle of criminal behaviour.

Furthermore, identifying at-risk individuals within the community and working with them can reduce their propensity towards criminality, providing an effective preventive measure, Dr Desouza said.

Challenges of prevention

Law enforcement officers have an important role in preventing and combating violent crimes. However, they frequently confront enormous hurdles, especially in cases of extreme cruelty.

Dr Ruchi Sinha said that police are not allowed to be sensitised due to the "political power". Additionally, they are also struggling with resources.

"The police are facing a staff crunch; criminologists are not allowed in the stations. Spending some time at the police station allows us to recognise the patterns of crimes being reported from particular areas. If we are allowed to even tackle 20 of 50 cases, the police can focus on the other 30. There should be partnerships with NGOs, and social workers," added Dr Sinha.

Legal implications of brutal crimes

The surge in violent crime raises concerns regarding the legal and ethical implications of addressing such instances. While the Indian legal system punishes violent offenders, there is rising worry that the current rules may not be sufficient to address the underlying causes of cruelty.

The judicial aftermath of heinous acts such as the Bengaluru case frequently sparks public outrage and calls for heavier sentences. However, experts caution that knee-jerk reactions may not be the answer. Instead, a comprehensive strategy addressing the socioeconomic and psychological issues that contribute to such violence is required.

When asked whether current legal frameworks were enough to handle such brutal cases, Dr Tanaya said, "The ultimate punishment - death - is already prescribed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and contemporary legal systems. The issue currently is not the severity of the punishment, but how the courts decide whether a case belongs to the "rarest of rare" category, a doctrine that emerged from the Jagmohan case."

She added, "The courts must ensure that even the slightest question is weighed before imposing the death penalty, which is a basic violation of a person's right to life. A significant example is the Ankush Maruti Shinde case (2018), in which the Supreme Court discharged six convicts after determining that they had been wrongfully convicted despite lower court verdicts."

"For the death penalty to be enforced, the proof must be beyond "residual doubt," which means there is no space for error. This necessitates substantial, indisputable evidence supported by extensive forensic analysis. The judiciary must be certain that the accused is guilty beyond all doubt. As a result, the approach is to ensure rigorous evidence collection rather than enacting tighter legislation. The government's authorisation for forensic teams to visit crime scenes is a positive step forward. Furthermore, effective training for investigating officers (IOs) is required so that they can gather, preserve, and present evidence correctly in court, lowering the danger of erroneous convictions and strengthening the judicial system," Dr Tanaya shared.

Meanwhile, Dr Sinha emphasises, "Crime cannot be effectively controlled by legal frameworks alone. While laws and regulations are essential for establishing consequences and deterrents, they must be part of a broader approach that includes social, economic, and community-based strategies. We need better social security, community harmony and inclusive development to create a more supportive and cohesive environment that deters crime and promotes overall well-being and safety."