Bhubaneswar, February 23 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday informed the Assembly that 2,994 cases of rape and 7,382 cases of molestation were reported in the state last year.
A total of 33,021 cases of crimes against women were registered in different police stations across the state in 2025, Majhi said in reply to a written question from BJD legislator Prasanna Acharya.
The chief minister said that 1,183 cases of sexual harassment, 115 attempted rape cases, 1,448 cases of public disrobing of women, 7,378 cases of abduction of women, 127 cases of voyeurism, 4,361 cases of dowry-related torture, and 5,419 cases of non-dowry-related torture were reported in the state last year.
Similarly, 757 cases of eve-teasing, 702 cases under Section 69 of the BNS (sexual relationship with false promises of marriage), two cases under Section 68 of the BNS (sexual relationship by a person in authority), 485 cases of stalking, one attempt to acid attack case, 111 cases of trafficking of women, 145 cases of dowry homicide, and 77 cases of dowry-related suicide were also registered in 2025, Majhi added.
The CM said that several steps have been taken to prevent crimes against women, including rapes.
The Crime Against Women & Children Wing (CAW&CW) based in Bhubaneswar has been monitoring the investigation of important and sensitive cases of crimes against women, classifying them as 'red-flag' cases. The wing appoints an investigating officer for regular monitoring of sensitive cases and developments in the court of law, he stated.
The investigating officers have been asked to expedite the probes in such cases, he said.
Investigative Units on Crimes Against Women (IUCAW) are functioning in different districts. These units take up investigations of important and sensitive cases.
Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (IAHTU) are operational in all 36 police districts and another unit at CAW&CW. These units take up investigation of missing women and children cases, he said.
Besides, Mahila and Sishu Desks (MSDs) are functional to prevent crimes against women and children, Majhi said.
The CM also pointed out that his government has taken several other steps, including the installation of CCTV cameras in public places, setting up of women hostels and toilets, appointment of special public prosecutors for crimes against women and child cases, and awareness drives in rural areas.
In another reply to the House, Majhi said that cases of rape, molestation, public disrobing, dowry torture, dowry death, and acid attacks against women declined in the state during July 2024 to December 2025, compared to the previous 18 months from January 2023 to June 2024 under the BJD government.
Replying to a question by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam, Majhi said that rape cases declined by 3.5 per cent and molestation cases by 2.2 per cent during the period under review.
Cases of public disrobing of women decreased by 26.8 per cent, while acid attacks fell by 73.3 per cent, he said.
Similarly, dowry-related murder cases declined by 26.8 per cent, dowry torture cases by 8.3 per cent, non-dowry torture cases by 1.6 per cent, and murder of women cases dipped by 7.4 per cent during July 2024 to December 2025 in comparison to the previous 18 months, he informed.
The chief minister, however, maintained that overall cases of crimes against women in Odisha have remained almost constant.