Bhubaneswar: A total of 37,611 cases related to crimes against women were reported in Odisha over the last 14 months (from June 2024 to July 2025). Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the state assembly on Monday.
In a written reply to a question by Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, the Chief Minister provided a detailed breakdown of the reported cases during the period. These include 2,933 rape cases, 174 attempts to commit rape, 9,181 molestation cases, 334 cases of refusal to marry after sex, 1,278 sexual harassment cases, 5,464 dowry torture cases, and 264 dowry-related homicides.
Majhi stated that 5,979 persons—5,754 males and 225 females—were arrested in connection with crimes against women, with 799 cases resulting in convictions over the last 14 months.
Chief Minister Majhi further highlighted preventive measures taken to improve the safety and security of women in the state:
- Important and sensitive cases against women, such as rape, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences), and acid attacks, are being closely monitored and supervised by District SPs and Additional SPs.
- Through community policing (Ama Police Samiti) outreach programs, women are encouraged to report their problems freely and without fear.
- A Children and Women Online Abuse Monitoring Unit under CID-CB is functioning to investigate cybercrimes against women and children.
- ERSS DIAL-112 provides timely, prompt, and sensitive responses to women in distress.
- Investigative Units on Crime Against Women (IUCAW) operate in 29 districts, handling important and sensitive cases.
- Officers posted to IUCAW and Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs) conduct awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and villages to enhance safety.
- SSPs have been instructed to utilize Ama Police Samiti platforms to amplify messages on women’s and children’s safety.
- CCTV cameras have been installed in many districts to monitor anti-social and criminal activities, helping to prevent crimes and promote women’s safety. The state government is working to expand CCTV surveillance further.
- Twenty-four special POCSO courts are functioning to expedite trials in sexual offences against children.
- The police collaborate with well-intentioned NGOs to disseminate safety messages to women and girls.
- District police are improving patrolling in important public places to prevent sexual harassment of women.
In response to rising self-immolation cases among women and girls, a directive (Letter No. 4284/CAW&CW(W), dated 12.8.2025) has been issued to all district SSPs to take swift action on complaints. Awareness campaigns and workshops are being organised in collaboration with various government departments.
Under the Subhadra Surakhya Yojana, the state government has allocated funds to bolster women’s safety projects through the Odisha Police.
Additionally, Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPO) under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Protection Officers under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; and Dowry Prohibition Officers under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, are functioning to ensure the safety and security of women. The School and Mass Education Department, Higher Education Department, and ST & SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Departments also conduct safety awareness programs and self-defense training.
