News from Odisha

A female student's sexual harassment complaint at Swami Arupananda Higher Secondary School in Jagatsinghpur led to the suspension of principal Ramesh Sahu and lecturer Saswat Mohanty after seven months of inaction. The female student had complained about the lecturer. The disciplinary action followed after the principal’s explanation report was found unsatisfactory.

Two hockey coaches and an associate accused of gang-raping a minor in Jajpur, with allegations of inaction by sports authorities despite repeated complaints.

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati amid speculation on cabinet expansion, discussing vacant ministerial posts and state law and order.

The IMD predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha from July 23-27 due to an upper air cyclonic circulation, issuing an Orange Warning for several districts. A fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal around 24th July, 2025. The trough from Gangetic West Bengal to south interior Odisha across Jharkhand at 0.9 Km above mean sea level has become less marked.

A Crime Branch team intensifies its probe into the tragic suicide of a girl student at FM College, Balasore, questioning faculty and staff to uncover negligence or harassment. Several vital leads and digital evidence have been collected. A proper probe is underway, the Crime Branch Director General (DG) Vinaytosh Mishra said in a presser yesterday.

Odisha government completes formalities for its first MRO facility in Bhubaneswar, enhancing aviation infrastructure under the New Destination Policy, with 13 new flight services and regional airstrips operationalised.

A young woman consumed poison at Itamati Police Station, Nayagarh, demanding justice over a relationship dispute involving a CRPF Jawan. She is in critical condition.

Justice Manas Ranjan Pathak was sworn in as a judge of the Orissa High Court by Chief Justice Harish Tandon, increasing the court's functional strength to 20.

Odisha to ban petrol and diesel sale in plastic bottles following misuse incidents. Minister Krushna Chandra Patra calls a meeting to discuss new distribution guidelines.

A Crime Branch team visited Balanga Police Station to assess the investigation into a case where a 15-year-old girl was set on fire by three miscreants in Puri district. The victim, with 75% burns, was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi.

A Kanwariya died and another was critically injured in a hit-and-run near Daduanbahal, Keonjhar, while en route to a Lord Shiva Shrine. Odisha Transport Authority issued a safety advisory for pilgrims.

Ravenshaw University faces student protests after ten hostel inmates were suspended over ragging allegations, with claims of coerced complaints and demands for a fresh probe. The incident has drawn reactions from the university officials and escalated tensions on campus. The action was taken based on the anti-ragging committee’s recommendations and will be withdrawn only if the committee confirms to do so.

A recent surge in Maoist activity near Odisha's borders saw two villagers brutally killed in Bijapur and a large cache of explosives seized in Saranda, raising security concerns.

Flood misery continues in Kendrapara and Bhadrak despite receding Brahmani River levels, with forecasts of more rain exacerbating the crisis. Villages remain marooned, crops destroyed, and fodder shortages worsen.

Following a student's self-immolation at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Odisha mandates POSH Act workshops, helpline displays, and IC formations to ensure women's safety in workplaces and colleges.