Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Tuesday, 05 August 2025

The body of Raghu Patra, an elderly man from Kalahandi's Kandama village missing since July 30, was found on Rayagada railway tracks. Police suspect witchcraft-related murder and have arrested two. More

In Keonjhar's Parjanpur village, Bideshi Patra's body was denied last rites post-post-mortem due to superstition. NGO 'Bharasar' intervened, ensuring a dignified cremation. The tragic chain of events began when Patra was bitten by a venomous snake while sleeping at home. Though he was rushed to the DHH in critical condition, he succumbed during treatment. More

Proposals for stricter penalties at Puri's Srimandir, including up to seven years' imprisonment for violations, were submitted to the Odisha government by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee. More

The Odisha government mandates departments to identify and report incompetent employees for compulsory retirement, with a deadline set for submissions. More

Over 1,500 baby saltwater crocodiles hatched in Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park, marking a significant event in the conservation of India's estuarine crocodiles. The park, home to 70% of India's saltwater crocodiles, has seen their population rise from 96 in 1975 to 1,826 today. More

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan criticises Congress and BJD for falsely alleging deteriorating law and order in the State post-2024 elections, defending Odisha's improved statistics. The Minister and senior BJP leader emphasised that political battles should be fought with honesty and integrity. He criticised them for making baseless statements. More

Shovana Mohanty appointed Chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Women, vows to ensure justice for women, with four new members also inducted. Babita Patra named Chairperson of OSCPCR. More

BDA's survey for the left parallel road from OERC Square to Patharagadia aims to identify affected families in Chunukoli slum, ensuring their rehabilitation under urban development policies. More

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan warns of strict legal action against unauthorised photography inside Puri Jagannath Temple, emphasising the sanctity of the 12th-century shrine. The incident involving a suspected spy camera inside the Srimandir is being taken very seriously by the government. Authorities are exploring all possible measures to tighten security. More

Sudarshan Mahananda was arrested in Subarnapur for smuggling 50 litres of illicit Mahuli liquor disguised as a Kanwariya, highlighting a unique method of deception during the monsoon pilgrimage season. The operation was part of a targeted crackdown on illegal liquor trade during the monsoon pilgrimage season, where smugglers often use disguises to bypass checkpoints. More

The Crime Branch investigates OTET irregularities, uncovering past oversights by the BJD government, including financial probes into BSE officials Nihar Ranjan Mohanty and Jitan Maharana. More

Two youths, Pratish Pal from West Bengal and Vipul Patel from Gujarat, were caught attempting to enter Srimandir in Puri with hidden cameras, prompting strict actions by temple police and discussions for a specific law. More

Bhadrak Police launched a crackdown on bikes with modified silencers, seizing and destroying over 250 units to combat noise pollution, with a fine of Rs 10,000 for each violator. The drive will be intensified in the days ahead, and police will also take action against those who are using mobile phones while driving. This initiative has been widely appreciated by the residents. More

Eleven new civil courts, including Additional District Judge Vigilance Courts in Puri, Nayagarh, and Kendrapara, will be established in Odisha for faster justice delivery. More

Southern Range RDC orders probe into oxygen sharing between two newborns at MKCG MCH, Berhampur, highlighting concerns over medical protocols and patient safety. More

The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police conducted surprise raids near educational institutions in Bhubaneswar to curb drug peddling, targeting shops suspected of selling narcotics to students. More

A violent clash between two student groups at SVM College in Jagatsinghpur resulted in injuries, amid uncertainty over students’ union elections in Odisha. More

A bike theft near Puri's Jagannath Temple was caught on CCTV, showing the accused attempting multiple vehicle thefts before succeeding. Balaram Dikshit reported the incident, leading to a police investigation. More

Eight Odia labourers from Ganjam, trapped in exploitative conditions in Tamil Nadu, were rescued following an OTV report. The Labour Department's swift action reunited them with their families. More

Farmers in Bolangir, Odisha, are outraged over the illegal sale of government-supplied fertilizers by private traders at inflated prices, bypassing the PACS network. A viral video has exposed this malpractice. More

A massive cobra was rescued after being trapped under a dumper truck's tyre near NH-143 in Bonai, Sundargarh district, following hours of effort by the local Snake Helpline team. More

Odisha govt suspends headmaster Prashant Khamari post-arrest in OTET 2025 question paper leak case, amid growing scrutiny over exam integrity and education department accountability. More

Residents of Bhadrak's Dhamnagar face flooding fears as the Baitarani river swells, threatening weak embankments. Locals, including Bivekananda Puhan and Basanti Samal, express distress over lack of official action. More

Lalita Jani from Nabarangpur's Jabaguda village died after being carried on a cot through muddy paths due to lack of motorable roads, highlighting rural infrastructure gaps. More

Unidentified robbers looted a jewellery shop in Balasore's Hatpada market, breaking its shutter and stealing gold ornaments worth lakhs. Kamarda Police are investigating. More

Three wild elephants in Sundargarh's Dharanidharpali area are causing panic among locals, especially during cropping season. The Forest Department is monitoring and attempting to guide them back to the forest. More

Bankamuha Harijan Sahi in Bhadrak district, Odisha, thrives on a unique no-doors tradition, attributing safety to their village deity's protection. Despite modernity, faith remains their strongest lock. More

Hundreds of tribal villagers in Kutrabeda, Koraput, allege a millet distribution scam under government schemes, with no grains reaching them despite signed receipts. Officials deny claims, promising investigations. More

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announces 835 model primary schools under the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya initiative, aiming to enhance rural education with Rs 5000 crore investment. More

The IMD has predicted that rainfall activity will continue in various parts of the state till at least August 8.  More

Violent clash between youths near Jobra Taladanda canal in Cuttack captured in viral video, raising law and order concerns amid police silence. More

A 26-year-old man was arrested for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl in Jajpur district, with the incident reported after the victim's father filed a complaint. More

A pickup van overturned in Gajapati's Mohana block, injuring 10 migrant labourers, with four in critical condition. The accident occurred near Chapadapanka village due to alleged rash driving and overloading. More

As of now, an FIR has been lodged, and raids are being conducted at multiple locations based on available leads. The police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that may help solve the case. More

CBI arrests Shivkumar Gangadharan, a declared offender in the Odisha chit fund scam, from Tamil Nadu after 7 years of evasion. More

Bipul Patel from Gujarat was caught attempting to enter Srimandir in Puri with spy camera-equipped glasses, leading to his detention and ongoing police interrogation under the Temple Act. More

Odisha to introduce a new SOP for eco-friendly fly ash disposal via slurry pipelines, reducing environmental and health risks in affected districts like Sambalpur and Jharsuguda. The new SOP aims to streamline and modernise the disposal mechanism, especially in thermal power plant-affected areas in the State. Consultations are underway with both the central and state-level institutions. More

The Supreme Court rejected IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi's anticipatory bail plea, paving the way for his possible arrest by CBI in a bribery case linked to Bridge and Roof Company Limited, following raids and evidence collection. A special eight-member CBI team had previously conducted simultaneous raids at IAS Sethy’s official residence and ancestral home on February 18. More

A 6-foot-long crocodile was captured in Malkangiri's village pond after a four-day operation by the Forest Department, ensuring community safety and the reptile's health before release. More

Dreaded criminal Bighneswar Nayak, wanted in over 40 cases, was arrested in Alara village, Cuttack, by Athagarh DSP-led team during Bol Bom pilgrimage. More