Nagpur: Maharashtra has emerged as the second-highest state in India for murders linked to illicit relationships, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 report. The data reveals a disturbing rise in violent crimes triggered by emotional conflicts, infidelity, and relationship disputes across the state.

As per the NCRB report, Maharashtra recorded 166 murders related to illicit relationships in 2024, tying with Tamil Nadu and ranking just behind Andhra Pradesh, which reported 195 such cases. The findings highlight how personal relationships and emotional tensions are increasingly escalating into fatal violence.

Maharashtra Also Among Top States in Murders Over Love Affairs

The report further states that Maharashtra ranked fourth in the country in murders arising out of love affairs, with 136 cases registered during 2024. In addition, two honour killing cases were also reported in the state, indicating that family pressure, societal stigma, and opposition to relationships continue to contribute to violent outcomes.

Out of the total 2,168 murders reported across Maharashtra in 2024, nearly 304 cases — approximately 14% — were directly linked to love affairs, illicit relationships, or related emotional disputes. While the overall murder count in the state has shown a slight decline from 2,208 cases in 2023 and 2,295 in 2022, the proportion of relationship-driven crimes remains a major concern for law enforcement agencies and social experts.

Nagpur Emerges Among India’s Highest Murder Rate Metro Cities

Nagpur, Maharashtra’s second capital, has also witnessed several violent incidents linked to romantic disputes and personal conflicts. According to the NCRB data, the city recorded 88 murders in 2024, translating to a murder rate of 3.5 per lakh population.

This places Nagpur second among 19 metropolitan cities in India in terms of murder rate, behind Patna, which recorded a rate of 5.2 per lakh population.

Police officials and investigators believe many of these crimes are driven by jealousy, betrayal, suspicion, revenge, and unresolved emotional conflicts. Experts say that lack of communication, mental stress, and social stigma often intensify such situations, leading to tragic consequences.

Police Cite Possessiveness, Suspicion, and Revenge as Key Factors

A senior source from the Nagpur Police department said many of these crimes originate from unchecked emotions and volatile personal relationships.

“Many of these crimes stem from unchecked emotions — possessiveness, suspicion, and revenge — often intensified by secrecy and social stigma. What begins as affection or attraction is increasingly ending in rage and irreversible tragedy,” the source said.

Experts Call for Counselling and Early Intervention

Social experts and mental health professionals have stressed the need for greater awareness around emotional well-being, relationship counselling, and conflict resolution. They believe early intervention in troubled relationships could help prevent violent incidents and reduce crimes arising out of emotional distress.

The NCRB findings underline a growing social challenge in Maharashtra, where relationship-related conflicts are becoming a significant contributor to violent crime despite an overall marginal decline in murder cases statewide.