Odisha Sees 8% Rise In Rape Cases In 2024; Law & Order Situation Under Control, Says CM

Bhubaneswar: After slight decline in 2023, rape cases in Odisha crossed 3,000 again in 2024, according to information shared by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in state Assembly.

Odisha had recorded 3,184 cases of rape in 2022. The number declined to 2,826 in 2023 only to rise again to 3,054 in 2024.

The state has been witnessing an increase in crimes in the last three years.

In a written reply to senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the CM informed that 1,78,190 cases were registered in 2022 and the number rose to 1,99,954 in 2023 and 2,14,113 last year, about an increase of 7%.

Majhi attributed the slight increase in the number of registered cases to population growth, free and fair process to register cases and rapid economic development in the state.

Cases of burglary and thefts also showed an uptick in the last three years. A total of 5,467 burglary cases were registered in 2022, and the number rose to 6,071 in 2023 and 6,408 in 2024. Similarly, theft cases jumped from 14,893 in 2022 to 16,851 in 2023 and 17,805 last year.

However, there was a marginal drop in other violent crimes like murder and robbery. “During the tenure of the new BJP government, the law and order situation remained peaceful. After assuming office in June 2024, murder, dacoity and robbery came down,” stated Majhi.

Responding to Congress MLA Sofia Firdous’ allegation that the state government had failed to check crimes against women citing 18,001 cases registered from June to December 2024, the CM said that Crime Against Women and Children Wing is regularly instructing the investigating officers to probe such sensitive crimes in efficient and timely manner.

He also denied claims that criminals were openly challenging the police in the state capital while outlining various security initiatives implemented over the past eight months, including enhanced patrolling, deployment of informants under police station jurisdictions, weekly monitoring of repeat offenders at police stations, promotion of CCTV installation in residential areas, and strict action against those committing crimes against women.

Emphasizing his government’s zero-tolerance approach towards crimes against women, Majhi highlighted that police forces were instructed to prioritise cases involving women, children and elderly victims.

Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that measures were being taken to improve law enforcement and speed up justice. “The state government is committed to ensuring the safety of women. Several initiatives have been launched, including strengthening police resources, setting up fast-track courts, and increasing surveillance in sensitive area,” he added.