Bhubaneswar: The Opposition lambasted the Mohan Majhi government following the release of ‘white paper 2025’ on crime in the Odisha Assembly.
According to the White Paper, the state saw a 7.3% rise in crime in 2025 with 2,29,881 cognizable offences registered, against 2,14,113 in 2024. While some serious crimes showed a declining trend, there was a 3.6% increase in murder cases from 1,258 to 1,304 with almost four persons being killed in a day. Rape cases saw a marginal decline of 1.96% with 2,994 cases compared to 3,054 in 2024. However, police filed charge sheets in 64.46% of rape cases and only 46% of murder cases.
Robberies saw a sharp drop from 2,582 to 1,802.
A total of 122 incidents of disorder involving Hindus, Muslims and Christians were reported in various parts of states during 2025 compared to 84 in 2024. These include 106 Hindu-Muslim and 16 Hindu-Christian disorder incidents. Besides, 1,095 riot cases were registered at various police stations in 2025. Police filed chargesheet in 498 riot cases, while it might be filed in 548 more such cases, which are under investigation, according to the document.
It further stated that the government has constituted a “state-level communal coordination committee” to maintain communal harmony in the state.
Altogether 2,803 cyber crimes were reported during the period.
The increase in crime reflects worsening law and order, said BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera while accusing the government of suppressing crime reporting to keep the numbers low. Echoing the same, Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati linked the rise in crime to unemployment. He added that women and children are feeling unsafe as incidents of murder to child abduction have increased in the state.
Countering the Opposition charges, BJP MLA Saroj Kumar Padhi vouched for the accuracy of the white paper while referring to the government’s a zero-tolerance policy toward crime and criminals. He along with fellow BJP MLA Irasis Acharya asserted that swift action against criminals and an improved conviction rate have contributed to the state’s peaceful environment.
