Bhubaneswar: There was an alarming 139% surge in cases of crimes against women in Bhubaneswar in 2025, official data has revealed. Neighbouring Cuttack – part of the twin city commissionerate police system – recorded a 9.8% decline in such cases.
There were 485 cases of crimes against women reported in Bhubaneswar in 2024. This went up to 1,159 in 2025, police statistics reveal. The numbers fell from 1,222 in 2024 to 1,102 in 2025 in Cuttack.
The crimes that were recorded included rape, attempted rape, molestation, sexual harassment, abduction, eve-teasing, stalking, public disrobing, refusal to marry after sexual relations, and dowry-related offences.
The number of rape cases in Bhubaneswar went up from 149 in 2024 to 170 in 2025. This went against the statewide trend. The number of rape cases in Odisha fell from 3,054 in 2024 to 2,994 in 2025. In Cuttack, the number of cases fell from 103 to 80.
The police in the capital city, however, attribute this rise to free and fair registration of cases. Officials said that no effort is made to suppress crime.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi reaffirmed his government’s priority to women’s safety while replying to BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain’s question in the Assembly on Monday.
“With the objective of providing justice to victims, emphasis has been placed on prompt registration of cases, proper investigation, appointment of efficient government advocates and investigating officers, monitoring of trials, and providing compensation to victims along with taking care of their mental health through counselling, rehabilitation, and other measures,” the CM stated in his written reply.
In 2025, the government launched the Subhadra Surakhya initiative with a budget of Rs 153 crore. The Odisha Police also took a statewide initiative to identify and monitor high-risk zones prone to sexual violence recently.
