Odisha has witnessed an 8% rise in rape cases and a 7.6% decline in murder cases in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the White Paper released by the Home Department.
Rape Cases Rise, Murders Decline
The state reported 3,054 rape cases and 1,258 murder cases in 2024. In 2023, there were 2,826 rape cases and 1,362 murders registered. The data highlights a concerning upward trend in sexual violence while showing a decrease in homicide incidents.
Cognizable Offences in 2024
Overall, Odisha recorded 2,14,113 cognizable cases last year. The breakdown includes:
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1,258 murders
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356 dacoities
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2,582 robberies
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6,408 burglaries
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17,805 thefts
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6,307 cases of swindling
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1,471 rioting cases
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3,054 rape cases
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12,375 motor vehicle accidents
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1,62,497 other miscellaneous cases
Investigation Outcomes
Out of the total cases, police confirmed 2,07,204 cases as true and filed chargesheets in 1,39,001 cases.
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For rape, 2,986 cases were found true, with chargesheets filed in 1,948 cases.
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For murder, 1,215 cases were confirmed, with chargesheets filed in 542 cases.
Decline in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Activities
The White Paper also reported a significant drop in LWE activities. Only four incidents were reported in 2024, compared to nine in 2023.
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Six CPI (Maoists) were neutralised, eight arrested, and four surrendered during the year.
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Security forces seized 32 firearms, 91 explosives, and other materials.
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Only one civilian casualty was reported in 2024, compared to three deaths in LWE-related incidents the previous year.
The report credits strict action by Odisha Police for the decline in extremist activities while raising concerns over the increasing rape cases in the state.
