A new report from India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) paints a worrying picture of crimes against women in Odisha. The Crime in India 2023 data shows these incidents are on the rise, putting the eastern state in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Odisha ranks fourth nationwide for the highest rate of crimes against women, with 112.4 cases per one lakh people. That’s behind only Delhi at 133.6, Telangana at 124.9, and Rajasthan at 114.8. In total, police in Odisha registered 25,914 such cases last year—making it the sixth highest number across India.
One alarming standout: Odisha leads the country in women-related cybercrimes, reporting 761 incidents. These include sharing or sending sexually explicit material online, blackmail, defamation, image morphing, and creating fake profiles to harass women.
The report also highlights Odisha’s position in the top 10 states for rape cases, with 1,195 reported in 2023—that’s seventh on the list. When it comes to child pornography, Odisha and Karnataka each saw 30 cases involving the use or storage of such material, tying for fourth highest in the nation.
Assaults on women with intent to outrage their modesty hit hard too. Odisha recorded 9,367 cases, the fourth highest total, but it actually has the top crime rate in this category at 40.6 per one lakh population.
Kidnapping and abduction of women added to the tally, with 5,611 cases filed. While that’s seventh in absolute numbers, Odisha’s rate of 24.3 per one lakh is the second highest after Delhi’s 39.5.
These figures from the NCRB’s annual report underscore the urgent need for stronger action to protect women in Odisha and across India.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
