Bhubaneswar, March 12: The Odisha Police's week-long mega exhibition on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concluded successfully, attracting an unprecedented footfall of over 1 lakh visitors. Held at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Unit–III, Bhubaneswar, the event marked a historic milestone in public legal awareness and community policing. The closing day was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Smt. Surama Padhy, MLA Pipili Asrit Pattnayak, Dr. Manoj Kumar Sahoo, Saswat Mishra, ACS to HCM, Chithra Arumugam, ACS of Labour & ESI Department, and renowned actor Sabyasachi Mishra.
The final day saw a surge of enthusiasm, with students from Utkal University, alongside personnel and families from the RPF, CISF, and CRPF, actively participating in the event. The overwhelming public response came after a two-day extension granted by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, who recognized the exhibition as a crucial platform for educating citizens about the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—the transformative legal framework that replaced colonial-era laws on July 1, 2024, bringing transparency, efficiency, and a citizen-centric justice system.
The exhibition, designed by a high-level committee under Director General of Police, Odisha, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, offered an immersive “Journey of Justice” experience, departing from traditional lectures. Visitors were taken through an engaging sequence of pavilions, beginning with a realistic Crime Scene setup where forensic experts demonstrated the critical “Golden Hour” of evidence collection. The journey continued through a high-tech Police Control Room, highlighting modern tools like the Dial 112 helpline and GPS-enabled dispatch systems, before moving to the Police Station pavilion, which showcased digital case management and Zero FIR registrations. The Hospital and Forensic Laboratory pavilions emphasized the state’s shift towards scientific, objective evidence, while the District and High Court replicas provided an insightful view into trials and appellate procedures. The final pavilion on Prisons focused on the new laws' reformative aspects, including vocational training and the reintegration of offenders into society.
In addition to judicial displays, the exhibition highlighted the Odisha Police's unique capabilities. High-intensity demonstrations by the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) captivated the audience. A special segment showcased Odisha's one-of-a-kind Police Carrier Pigeon Service, a heritage communication method still in use for emergency situations during total technological blackouts. Visitors also explored modern communication tools at the ERSS stall, including satellite communication systems, encrypted digital radios, and CCTNS-linked infrastructure ensuring seamless data flow across police stations statewide.
The exhibition’s broad public appeal was evident in the diverse demographics of attendees, from bureaucrats, judiciary members, and legal professionals to educationists, students, and grassroots workers. The event attracted slum dwellers, laborers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), all eager to learn about the new legal system. Film personalities, social influencers, and media professionals amplified the message, while senior citizens, athletes, bankers, and members of the transgender community added to the inclusive atmosphere. Daily skits performed by professional artists in Odia translated complex legal provisions into engaging and relatable stories for the general public.
The exhibition was conducted under the leadership of DGP, Crime Branch, Vinyotosh Mishra, whose guidance ensured its smooth execution. Several retired IPS officers and senior officers from across the state also visited the exhibition, interacting with visitors and encouraging public participation in understanding the new criminal laws.
The exhibition has had a significant impact on public trust, reflected in the 166% increase in Zero FIR registrations and the rise in conviction rates to 87.6% in the past year. It has proven to be a powerful catalyst for legal awareness, furthering Odisha Police's commitment to a transparent, efficient, and citizen-centered justice system while working with the people towards a "Viksit Odisha."
