Expressing deep concern over the escalating criminal activities and deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, calling the state of affairs direct evidence of the Chief Minister’s administrative incompetence.
The political backlash comes after serious concerns were raised by the National Crime Investigation Bureau (NCIB) regarding police brutality, illegal detentions, and misconduct within police custody across the state. Taking aim at the ruling BJP government, the Congress chief demanded that Chief Minister Majhi—who also holds the Home portfolio—take responsibility for the total breakdown in governance and step down as the Home Minister.
Timeline of NCIB Interventions and MHA Action
The controversy stems from official communications regarding police highhandedness and potential human rights violations:
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June 23, 2026: The Odisha State Director of NCIB urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to conduct an impartial inquiry into allegations of police torture and rights violations in the state.
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September 16, 2026: The MHA officially forwarded these serious complaints regarding the law and order situation in the state to the Chief Secretary of Odisha for appropriate action.
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October 16, 2026: The Odisha Home Department sought a detailed factual report on the allegations from the Director General and Inspector General of Police.
Addressing a press statement, Bhakta Charan Das highlighted the sharp contradiction between the Chief Minister’s public assurances and the reality on the ground.
“Smart Policing” vs. Ground Reality
Das pointed out that back on August 30, Chief Minister Majhi had unveiled a 10-point directive blueprint aimed at implementing “Smart Policing.” The blueprint promised a zero-tolerance policy against crime and corruption, citizen-friendly policing, and technology-driven investigations.
“The Chief Minister had assured full administrative and financial backing for police reforms, claiming that criminals would fear the police while innocent citizens would feel safe. However, the reality is completely opposite today—innocent citizens are living under fear while crime continues to soar,” Das remarked.
Shocking Alarm in Crime Statistics
Citing official data, the Congress chief presented alarming statistics to underline the law and order collapse:
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| Metric / Period | Statistic / Growth |
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| Overall Crime Rate Increase (2024 vs. 2025) | +7.3% |
| Crime Increase in Bhubaneswar (Jan - Jun 2026) | +43% |
| Cognizable Cases Registered (Jan - Jun 2026) | 9,934 cases |
| Crime Against Women (June 2024 - July 2026) | 71,769 cases |
| Rise in Juvenile Crime Involvement | ~38% increase |
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According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Odisha records the highest violent crime rate in the nation—standing at 161.6 victims per lakh population, with total violent crime cases reaching 75,403.
Furthermore, juvenile involvement in offences such as theft, burglary, and physical assault has jumped by nearly 38%, pointing toward a dangerous trend of minors being exploited by adult criminal networks.
Political Games Over Police Leadership
The OPCC President accused the ruling BJP of prioritising internal political games over public safety, particularly regarding appointments to the Director General of Police (DGP) post.
Concluding his statement, Das reiterated that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is directly responsible for the crumbling law and order infrastructure in Odisha and must immediately relinquish charge of the Home Department to allow for an unbiased restoration of peace and security.
