Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Sunday, 20 July 2025

A landslide in Gajapati's Mohana block damaged seven houses, with a six-year-old girl narrowly escaping death and a woman critically injured by a snakebite amid floodwaters. Villagers reported that the landslide brought down mud, debris, and rocks from the nearby hill, thereby severely affecting families and damaging properties. More

Daktara Banjari village in Gajapati district, home to over 60 families for generations, was reportedly sold to a private individual, leaving residents in shock and facing eviction. More

Dukshishyam Senapati from Balanga village saved a 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped and set on fire by three men in Puri district, recounting the harrowing 90-minute ordeal to DGP YB Khurania. More

A female student's suicide at RIHS College, Bhogarai, allegedly due to harassment by professor Jugajyoti Chand, resurfaces. The accused is absconding, sparking public outrage and demands for justice. Serious controversy has erupted again after a long lapse of time, which occurred in RIHS College in Bhogarai block of the district, nearly four years ago. More

Odisha's Higher Education Department mandates ICCs and displays toll-free helpline 181 in colleges to combat rising atrocities against women, following a student's tragic death. More

The late-night postponement of the special OTET exam by BSE has caused widespread anger among teaching aspirants in Odisha, with many left uninformed and frustrated. This OTET exam was meant for over 75,000 teachers who had been appointed before the 2011–12 academic year without appearing for eligibility test. More

Odisha faces a surge in violent attacks using petrol, with women and minors increasingly targeted. The state government plans strict measures against illegal fuel sales. More

Inmates of Janani Ashram in Cuttack's Chaudwar were assaulted over a land dispute, with complaints filed by both parties. Police investigations are ongoing. More

Three female tourists were injured in a head-on auto-rickshaw collision near Subhas Bose Square in Puri, raising concerns over tourist transport safety. One critically injured was rushed to DHH Puri. Police have launched a probe to determine the cause of the collision, and traffic movement in the area was briefly disrupted. More

Yadavendra Sahu, a first-year PG student from Odisha, found dead under suspicious circumstances at AIIMS Patna hostel. Police investigating; post-mortem awaited. More

Ramesh Chandra Behera, Additional Fire Officer in Rayagada, Odisha, was arrested for an illicit affair and physical abuse after the victim filed an FIR detailing exploitation and violence. Allegedly, the officer had been in a prolonged extramarital relationship with the woman. Recently, she accused him of inflicting physical torture, following which she approached the police for legal action. More

Laxman Oram allegedly murdered his wife Jayanti Kujur, an Anganwadi worker, and dumped her body under a bridge in Joda village, Sundargarh. Motive suspected to be an extramarital affair. More

Odisha Crime Branch advances in the Balasore FM College student death case, uncovering key leads and digital evidence. DG Vinaytosh Mishra highlights ongoing forensic and digital analysis, with changing witness statements adding complexity. The Crime Branch probe continued today for the fourth day, and several faculty members and subordinate staff were questioned. More

Odisha launches Shaktishree initiative for women's safety in higher education, following a student's tragic death. Includes Empowerment Cells, mobile app, and training. More

Odisha Vigilance officials conducted simultaneous raids at seven locations linked to Nityananda Nayak, DFO of Kendu Leaf Division, Keonjhar, over DA allegations. Properties in Angul, Keonjhar, and Nayagarh are under scrutiny. More

Disciplinary action initiated against forest officials in Keonjhar over delayed identification of an elephant carcass and monitoring lapses, with tusks still missing. More

A deceased patient's body lay unattended at Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir for over five hours due to the unavailability of a Mahaprayan hearse, highlighting systemic failures. More

Malkangiri Police arrested two accused persons named Sukumar Ray and Kankan Jordar from Hyderabad for the murder of web journalist CH Naresh in Muraliguda, with investigations underway. five assailants riding two motorcycles suddenly attacked Naresh, leading to his death on the spot. More

Police in Balanga, Puri, are intensively questioning eight individuals, including relatives of a 16-year-old burn victim, following a July 19 attack. The victim, with 75 burn injuries, was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi amid protests demanding justice. More

Odisha faces intensified rainfall as IMD predicts a new low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, with yellow and orange alerts for heavy showers in multiple districts. More

Odisha Crime Branch DG Vinaytosh Mishra visited FM College, Balasore, to investigate a female student's self-immolation, reviewing case details and questioning ICC members and faculty. More

A 16-year-old girl from Puri, critically injured in a daylight attack, was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi. The transfer involved a green corridor and tight security. Meanwhile, BJD leaders clashed with police at Balanga station over the case. More

Bhubaneswar Railway Station's Rs 398-crore redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is set for completion by November 2025, featuring a 108-metre air concourse, elevated roadway, and sustainability features. More

Two minors, a Class X and a Class VIII student, found pregnant in separate incidents at government-run residential schools in Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj districts. Police investigations ongoing. More

Parents in Kandhamal's Binakera locked their local upper primary school protesting severe teacher shortages, prompting BEO Phulbani to promise immediate appointments. More

A 21-year-old male student in Jajpur, Odisha, accuses his HoD, Niranjan Panda, of sexual misconduct, prompting a college probe and police involvement. More

Odisha Police probes the brutal assault on a 16-year-old girl in Puri, with forensic evidence from kerosene bottles potentially linking the crime scene to her home. The victim remains critical at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, with plans for airlifting to AIIMS Delhi. More

Continuous rainfall in Binika's Ward No. 11, Sonepur district, caused severe waterlogging, flooding homes and bringing snakes inside. Residents blame inadequate drainage and NAC's inaction. More

Four killed in a tragic car collision on NH-26 near Sunabeda's HAL Guest House in Koraput, Odisha, after a motorbike suddenly entered between two approaching cars late Saturday night. More

A 16-year-old girl from Puri, severely burned in an attack, will be airlifted to AIIMS Delhi as her condition worsens. The incident has sparked outrage and political criticism over law and order in Odisha. More

The Special OTET-2025 was abruptly cancelled by BSE, Odisha, leaving 75,403 candidates in dismay amid paper leak allegations circulating on social media. More

A 16-year-old girl from Bayabar, Puri, critically injured after being set on fire by unidentified assailants, is under intensive care at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. A 14-member medical team is monitoring her condition. More

Commissionerate Police imposed Section 163 of BNSS around AIIMS Bhubaneswar after tensions rose over a minor girl set on fire in Puri, leading to political protests and heightened security. More

Shambhu Singh from Manikpur village was stabbed by a group in Khallikote, Ganjam, suffering severe injuries. Suspected to be due to previous enmity, he's now at MKCG Hospital, Berhampur. More

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi launches 'Shaktishree', a comprehensive initiative for women's safety in higher education, following a girl student's tragic death. It includes an app, training, and strict campus measures. More

14 python eggs hatched through artificial incubation in Dhenkanal, Odisha, marking a rare conservation success. The eggs were relocated from Gaudapashi village with the help of Snake Helpline and DFO Sumit Kar. More

Authorities investigate abuse allegations at Talagadia Ashram Residential School in Jajpur, after three students escaped citing beatings and forced labour by seniors. More