Bhubaneswar, Ap 29: Crimes against women and children in Odisha rose by 5.6% between 2024 and 2025, highlighting a disturbing increase in sexual violence, molestation, and murder, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.
In a presentation to the Odisha Assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reported 33,021 cases of crimes against women in 2025, up from roughly 30,958–32,687 in 2024. The figures include 2,994 rape cases, 7,382 molestation cases, 1,183 sexual harassment incidents, 7,378 abductions, 1,448 public disrobing cases, 4,361 dowry torture cases, and 5,419 non-dowry torture incidents.
While rape cases slightly dipped from 3,054 in 2024 to 2,994 in 2025, the daily average of eight cases remains alarmingly high. Molestation cases continued to exceed 7,000. Murder cases also rose marginally from 1,258 to 1,304 over the same period.
The overall cognizable crimes in Odisha climbed from 2,14,113 in 2024 to 2,29,881 in 2025, a 7.3% increase, with Bhubaneswar recording an 8.65% spike. NCRB’s Crime in India 2023 report placed Odisha among states with high crime rates against women, noting 25,914 cases in 2023 and a low conviction rate of 6.9%, far below the national average.
Crimes against children also remain a critical concern. NCRB data show 8,577 cases in 2023, up from 8,240 in 2022 and 7,899 in 2021, with kidnapping accounting for roughly 41% of cases. Thousands of sexual offences under the POCSO Act were reported, many involving girls. Several horrific cases in recent years, including gangrapes and murders, have drawn widespread outrage and resulted in death penalties by POCSO courts in 2025–2026.
Experts and opposition leaders attribute the rise to inadequate policing in rural areas, delayed justice, low conviction rates, and entrenched societal attitudes. Authorities point to targeted initiatives under new criminal laws and a focus on forensic evidence, but critics say implementation remains weak.
Sovana Mohanty of the Odisha State Mahila Commission expressed serious concern, stating, “The current situation is highly dangerous. Women should live with dignity and respect.” She emphasised that parents’ failure to impart proper moral values is a primary factor contributing to the rising crime rate. Mohanty said the BJP government and the Mahila Commission are working to address these challenges effectively.
