Chargesheeting Rate refers to the percentage of cases in which the police or investigating agencies have filed a chargesheet—a formal document of accusation—after completing their investigation, out of the total number of cases registered in a given period. It is calculated as:

Chargesheeting Rate = (Number of Cases Chargesheeted / Total Cases for Investigation) × 100

A higher chargesheeting rate generally indicates that the police are efficiently pursuing investigations and taking cases to the prosecution stage, while a low rate may suggest delays, lack of evidence, or poor investigative processes.

The chargesheeting rate is a crucial indicator of the effectiveness, responsiveness, and accountability of the criminal justice system. It reflects the capacity of law enforcement agencies to build prosecutable cases and impacts the public’s trust in legal institutions. A consistently low rate could point to systemic issues such as under-resourced police departments, lack of training, or political interference. On the other hand, a high chargesheeting rate, particularly in serious crimes, contributes to deterrence, supports victims’ pursuit of justice, and strengthens the rule of law. Policymakers and researchers use this metric to evaluate police performance and design reforms aimed at improving law enforcement efficiency and judicial outcomes.