Replying to a question put by BJD MLA Soumyaranjan Patnaik, Minister of State (Home), Dibya Shankar Mishra informed that there has been a slight increase in crime instances in 2021 compared to the situation in the previous year.
The Minister said altogether 35,326 cases of violence against women were registered in 2021 including 3327 rapes, 5048 abductions and 93 human trafficking.
He said the rate of filing of chargesheets and conviction in cases related to crimes against women is 82.0 percent and 9.2 per cent, respectively. In 2021, the conviction rate for Red Flag category of cases was 45.28 per cent.
In another statement, MoS Dibya Shankar Mishra informed that as many as 11,763 rape cases were registered in the State during the last four years, from 2018 to 2021.
As per the statement of the Minister, 2,502 rape cases were registered in the State in 2018, 2,950 in 2019, 2,984 in 2020 and 3,327 in 2021.
Similarly, the women murder cases, including dowry homicide cases, have remained in between 600 and 700 in the past four years. As per the statement, 610 women murder cases, including 293 dowry homicide cases, were reported in 2021 whereas 676 women murder cases, including 320 dowry homicide cases, were registered with the Odisha police in 2020.
The State police reported 629 women murder cases in 2019 and 628 such cases in 2018, said the Minister while replying to a question of Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja. The number of non-dowry torture cases has increased by more than three times during past four years. While 1,616 non-dowry torture cases were registered in 2018, the number had gone up to 2,532 in 2019, 3,153 in 2020 and 4,889 in 2021.
(With agency inputs)
According to reports, a heated exchange of words took place between Bipin and his younger brother Rahul over some family dispute while the duo was having their dinner last night.
Following the verbal spat, Bipin lost his temper and attacked Rahul with a wooden lathi killing the latter on the spot.
“We rushed to the spot after the information and arrested Bipin. He has admitted to have committed the crime,” a senior police official said. Further investigation is on to ascertain what led to the argument, the police officials added.
The driver identified as Ganesh Mahakud received critical injuries while trying to put up a fight and foil the robbery bid. He has been admitted to a private hospital and his condition is stated to be stable, reports said.
According to sources, his taxi was booked online at around 4.20 am and when Ganesh reached near Tapoban Lane, the duo launched an attack on him using sharp weapons. The miscreants snatched his mobile phone and cash worth Rs 12,000 before fleeing the spot with the car.
Locals rescued the driver and rushed him to a nearby hospital. On being informed, police rushed to the spot and started investigation.
The deceased has been identified as Baijayant Prasad Mohanty, a resident of Cuttack. "The detained duo - Sasmita Mohanty and her male friend Chandan is being interrogated to elicit more information in connection with the death," informed a senior police official.
According to sources, Mohanty was in a relationship with Sasmita. But the duo often quarrelled and was not in good terms. In the meantime, Sasmita came in contact with another youth named Chandan at her office and developed likeness for him.
When Mohanty came to know about it, he approached Sasmita to apologise and resolve their dispute. While Sasmita denied, Mohanty forced her to continue her relationship with him. Later, both Sasmita and Chandan hatched a plan, called Mohanty to the office and strangulated him to death, sources added.
Further investigation into the incident is on and the post-mortem will reveal the exact cause of the death, police said.
The deceased couple has been identified as Soumyakant and Suchismita Patnaik of Pathuripada in Banki area of Cuttack district. According to sources, Soumyakant was working in Thiruvalla Petrochemicals Company in Khurda and was staying with his wife and eight-year-old daughter in a rented house.
Though the exact reason behind the deaths is yet to be established, brother of the deceased said that Soumyakant was under mental stress due to some issues with the company. He also alleged police's role in the suicide.
"He worked in Thiruvalla Petrochemicals and the company was not paying salary and harassing him. He was called to the police station over some issues in the company," informed Biswajit adding that Soumyajit committed suicide after coming back from the police station.
"Police might have tortured him and I also suspect the role of company authorities," added Soumyakant's brother.
According to sources, Soumyakant had earlier met with an accident while working in the company following which he was in a dispute with the company officials regarding the release of compensation money.
On Sunday, the company officials called him to the Khurda Town police station for discussions. Later he was found hanging with his wife inside his rented house.
Locals spotted the bodies inside the house and informed the police, who rushed to the spot and sealed the house. Meanwhile, a scientific team have also rushed to the spot and started investigation.
"Soumyakant was having some dispute with the company he was working in. We received information about the incident on Sunday night and rushed to the spot. The exact reason behind the deaths will be known after a detailed investigation," informed Khurda SDPO, Jugal Kishore Dash.
The incident has sent shockwaves in the capital city as during an interrogation by Lingaraj police, the accused Anisha Mitra confessed to have committed the crime and said she took the step in a fit of rage.
As per the latest reports, police have arrested Anisha while further investigation into the incident is still on to find the actual reason of murder. A scientific team has also reached the spot to investigate the matter.
Sources said the two women were living together in the rented house for the past eight years. While one worked at an NGO, another was working with a consultancy firm.
Reportedly, the owner of the house spotted the blood-soaked body of the woman inside the house this morning and informed Lingaraj police following which police rushed to the spot and arrested her room partner.
Sources further said that the two were not in good terms and often ended up quarrelling. A fight had also erupted between Anisha and Alaka last night.
On Tuesday, a teacher Smita Mishra of Patrapada area sustained critical injuries on her face and hands after she fell down while trying to save her valuables from snatchers.
Similarly, another woman, Minatilata Jena, living in Khandagiri area escaped a mishap when some bike-borne miscreants snatched her hand bag and she tried to resist them. As per reports, Jena was riding pillion on a motorbike on November 11 when some miscreants snatched her purse containing money and mobile phone near AG Square at around 6 pm.
“Keeping in view the snatching incidents, it seems people are not safe here. The loot could have been avoided had there are patrolling van nearby. Besides, valuables can be earned back but if someone losses his/her life that can’t be brought back,” said Smita.
“We could have fallen from the bike and died however we averted the mishap. One may become handicapped or even lose their eyes in such attacks,” Jena said.
In another instance on November 12, a CCTV footage showed two bike-borne men attempting to snatch a gold chain from a woman’s neck at Vivekananda Marg here. However, they were unsuccessful in their attempt.
In such cases, victims generally allege that the techniques adopted by the snatchers pose threat to their lives especially when they try to resist the loot.
Earlier this month, a gang had unleashed terror among people of the city particularly in Khandagiri area as the criminals looted cash worth over Rs 1.5 lakh, gold ornaments and other valuables in four separate incidents in a span of 24 hours.
The Commissionerate Police is yet to get any lead in the case, reports said. Although police have resorted to installing barricades and CCTVs at different places, the snatchers seem to adopt new ways to loot every time.
Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo has said that an investigation to nab the criminals is underway but so far no one has been identified.
According to reports, locals passing by the ATM spotted the broken kiosk cabin and damaged machine. Subsequently, they informed the police.
Later, officials of Town Police station rushed to the spot and sealed the ATM, however, there was no confirmation of robbery as per latest information.
Earlier on September 15, some miscreants made an unsuccessful attempt to loot an ATM of UCO bank at Jatni in Khurda.
The anganwadi helper alleged that her daughter, a Class IX student was first raped and then murdered by one Gajananda Behera of Sardhapur village of the district. Behera was their neighbour and was staying in a rented house for the past 12 years.
As per reports, the mother of the girl spotted her hanging after returning home from work in the afternoon today and informed the villagers.
"After returning from anganwadi, I didn't see my daughter outside and was about to enter the house when Behera appeared. He was looking tense and asked me to keep my mouth shut. In the meantime, I noticed my daughter hanging from the ceiling and ran towards her when Behera fled," said the mother of the girl.
"I am sure he raped and gagged her to death. She can never commit suicide," she added.
Police rushed to the spot after getting information from the villagers and recovered the girl's body. A scientific team also visited the spot.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahu informed, "A case has been registered by Jatani Police after receiving a complaint from the mother of the deceased girl. The girl was found hanging by a cloth. However, post-mortem will establish the exact cause of death."
An investigation in underway following which legal action will be taken accordingly, added the DCP.
The criminal identified as Debiprasad Das alia Litu was initially admitted to Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Sources said police were searching for Litu for his alleged involvement in a firing case at a house under Dhaniapada police limits in the district.
Acting on a tip-off about the movement of Litu in the area, a joint team of special squad and Marshaghai police intercepted the accused near Boudha office where he open fired at the officials.
Later, the police team fired back in retaliation injuring Litu on his right leg and subsequently arrested him. Police have also seized a motorcycle and a gun from his possession.
Several criminal cases including extortion, robbery, murder, bombing, tender fixing are also pending against Litu in Kendrapara, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur police stations.
As per reports, the incident happened on Thursday after a feud ensued between Hadia Khilar and his wife Suni. Police said Hadia attacked her with an wooden plank following which Suni died on the spot.
Hadia later dragged her body to another room of his house and fled the scene.
Police rushed to the spot, recovered the woman's body and sent it for post-mortem. They were also successful in arresting Hadia after a manhunt.
“When I returned from the farmland, I saw Hadia calling his sons to have food. But then I noticed Suni was lying dead. My son must have killed her,” said Hadia’s mother, Sadia Khilar.
“My daughter was killed by my son-in-law. They used to quarrel with each other on a regular basis. But no one knew he will go to such an extent that he will kill her,” Suni’s mother Somabari Khilar.
Inspector-in-Charge of Kaptipada Police Station, Reena Behera informed, “We reached the spot after receiving a complaint about the incident. The details of the murder will be known after thorough investigation.”
As per reports, Sagar Mallick and Rakesh Das of Olabhar village along with two of their friends were speaking to Kulamani Das of Kulia village when an altercation ensued between Kulamani and the others.
In a fit of rage, Sagar took out a gun and opened fire at Kulamani. However, he managed to escape without sustaining any injuries. Subsequently, some locals, who were present at the spot caught Sagar, Rakesh and two other youths and beat them black and blue.
Informed, Balikuda police rushed to the spot, arrested Rakesh, and rushed him to Balikuda Hospital. However, Sagar and the other two youths managed to flee the spot.
Sources said there are several criminal cases pending against Sagar at different police stations of the district.
Although the exact reason behind the firing is yet to be clear, it is being suspected that Sagar, Rakesh and their friends were trying to extort money from Kulamani.
As per sources, deceased Tuna Besra had a heated argument with his wife Champa last evening. The quarrel soon took an ugly turn when Champa, in a fit of rage, knocked down Tuna with a stone. Injured Kuna also thrashed her back.
Soon after the incident, the two were rushed to Kaptipada hospital by some villagers where Tuna succumbed to his injuries.
Champa, who is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, said, “I returned from market and was taking a nap when he (Tuna) came and started beating me up for no reason. I lost temper too and hit him back with a stone.”
“There was nothing serious behind the fight. He just kept fighting and beating me up because I went to the market without his permission,” she added.
Meanwhile, police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
The woman, Kunti Alada, was reportedly beaten to death with an wooden stick allegedly by her son Jerei following an argument over family issue, police said.Though the incident took place on Monday, the matter came to fore after villagers lodged a complaint at the police station yesterday.
Based on the complaint, police recovered Kunti’s body and sent in for post-mortem.
Police have also arrested the accused son on charges of killing his mother.
During interrogation, Jerei allegedly admitted to have killedhis mother. A case has been registered while further investigation by police is on.
On May 18, a robbery took place in one of the houses at Kotagarh village following which a complaint was lodged by the villagers at the local police station. However, the police officials allegedly failed to arrest the culprits.
Left with no choice, a Kangaroo Court of the village decided to hire a 'tantrik' (sorcerer) to sort the issue. Later, a puja was performed in the village by the tantrik to nab the actual thieves.
As per the ritual, a cot was moved in and around the village by a few people and it is believed that the place where it stops without human intervention happens to be the place of culprits.
And because the cot stopped in front of one Dora family, the family members were branded as thieves.
Though the family denied the theft allegations, a few villagers allegedly barged into their house and thrashed them severely.
According to reports, two persons of the family have been injured in the attack and are currently undergoing treatment at Rajsunakhala hospital.
"Although we denied our involvement in the theft, we were brutally beaten up by them. They also pelted stones at our house and threatened to kill us. We later lodged a police complaint," alleged one of the victims, Geetanjali Dora.
"They intentionally halted the cot in front of our house and then attacked us. We are now in hospital for treatment," said another victim, Tulasi Dora.
Meanwhile, Ranpur police has begun an investigation based on the complaint filed by Dora family.
As per reports, the deceased youth, Subash Nayak of Champagarh area in Nayagarh district, had been working in the Gurudwara for the past one year. A security guard of the Gurudwara first spotted Subash’s body hanging from the ceiling of a room yesterday and immediately informed police about the incident.
Kharabela Nagar police rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation after recovering Subash’s body.
While it is being suspected that Subash has committed suicide, his family members on the other hand believe there is something fishy behind his sudden death.
Subash’s father, Dusashan Nayak who also works at the Gurudwara said, "He (Subash) comes to duty at 8 am while I work for 4 hours, from 4 am till 8 am. I leave Gurudwara as soon as he comes. He stays till 8 pm and looks after all the work there."
Police officials are yet to comment on the alleged murder.
A case in point is the Sunday night incident in Dwaraka Vihar of Kalarahanga, Bhubaneswar where a group of 7 to 8 armed miscreants allegedly barged into the house of Jatikanti Behera, Union leader of Paradip Dock & Construction and attacked his family with rods and knives.
Reportedly, the miscreants first attacked Behera and when his wife resisted, they tied her hands and legs and pushed her aside to one corner of the house. Even their son was not spared. However, the miscreants fled the spot after sometime without looting any valuables from them.
"They thrashed me severely. There was a small boy in the group who was directed to hack me with a sharp weapon. Two other miscreants strangulated me with a bed sheet. While I was trying to save myself, my wife pleaded them to leave me," narrated Jatikanti, who has sustained serious injuries on his head and face.
"The first thing is the capital city is not safe anymore. Even senior citizens are unsafe. Today we were attacked, tomorrow it could be anyone of you," his wife stated.
Also injured in the attack, Jatikanti's son Subasish Behera said, "There was a long scuffle and they fled the scene after sometime. Only a police investigation will reveal the actual motive of such a murderous attack."
While initially it was suspected that the attack could be a fallout of a business rivalry or past enmity, police say there is involvement of criminals from Bangladesh. A police investigation is currently underway.
Twin City Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said, "Recently, a few criminals from across the border, most of them belonging to Bangladesh were arrested. Preliminary investigation and modus operandi suggest such criminals have a hand in this particular incident. They mostly target residents and locations close to railway stations so that their escape gets easier."
Earlier this year in February, armed miscreants allegedly looted gold jewelries and other valuables from the house of one Suranjita Rana in Kanan Vihar and looted around 250 grams of gold jewellery and other valuable items from the house after tying up the inhabitants. Last year in August, a retired army officer Naresh Panda was attacked in a similar manner.
The major upset now is are senior citizens really safe? Jatikanti's wife aptly said "Today it was me, tomorrow it could be you."
While the total number of rape cases in 2017 was 2,221, it increased to 2,502 in 2018. Charge sheet was filed in 1,526 rape cases as against 2,459 cases which were found to be true, the report said, adding that the state witnessed 501 murders over dowry in 2018, said the White Paper which was tabled in the Assembly on Saturday.
The number of murder cases also increased in the state during 2018 which touched 1,378 from 1,267 in 2017, the report said, adding that Odisha recorded 2,120 rioting cases, which is however, less than 2,407 in 2017. The number of riot cases was 1,914 in 2016.
The state has also witnessed increase in the total number of cognizable offences to 1,07,408 cases in 2018 against 1,03,866 cases in 2017. Charge sheet was filed in only 69,341 cases during 2018, the White Paper said.
The report also stated 558 dacoity cases were registered in 2018 while charge sheet was filed in 229 cases.
Properties worth over Rs six crore were recovered out of the Rs 26 crore lost in the dacoity. Similarly, 2,794 fraud cases were registered across the state of which 2,656 were found to be true while charge sheet was filed in 707 cases.
In 2018, a total of 51 female trafficking and 24 male trafficking cases were registered of which charge sheet was filed in 23 and 8 cases respectively.
The White Paper claimed that the state has not witnessed any major terrorist activity in 2018 and no left- wing extremist activity reported from six districts - Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati and Keonjhar.
It said 19 Maoists were gunned down, 39 arrested and 27 surrendered during 2018. It claimed the law and order situation in Odisha remained peaceful by and large even though firing took place for 33 times due to various reasons. The State also witnessed 39 cases of communal tensions in 2018.
Opposition Congress and BJP, however, rejected the White Paper. "The government is hiding facts in the White Paper. We will raise the issue in Assembly when the Home department demand comes for discussion on Monday," Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said on Sunday.
BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi alleged that the law and order in the state has collapsed.
In order to nab the criminals, police have adopted newer measures including a ‘fingerprint scanning system’ at check points to facilitate identification of criminals.
Police Commissioner, Satyajit Mohanty said “Earlier, we used to conduct blocking and checking late in the night. But after observing the patterns of the robberies and loots, we have intensified patrolling and frisking in the evening time too.”
Commissionerate Police has intensified patrolling and blocking, particularly on Lingipur-Pandara Road.
“As there are no sufficient lighting facilities on the Lingipur-Pandara bypass road and it is located in the remote part of the city, it becomes easy for the miscreants to operate. Therefore, we have decided to intensify patrolling particularly on that route. We are confident that this will help us in nabbing the anti-socials,” added Mohanty.
“Earlier we used the traditional method of recording fingerprints through ink, slab, and roller for the identification of criminals. Now, the same thing is being done digitally to create the database of the criminals,” said an expert engaged by the Commissionerate Police.
While conducting blocking and simultaneous searches randomly on various routes, Commissionerate Police is using this fingerprint scanning system to immediately check the criminal antecedents of a person.
Though the matter came to light yesterday, the transgenders had reportedly threatened Rajesh Dey of Sambalpur and even fired a few shots in the air on August 7.
Based on the complaint of Rajesh, Burla police nabbed the three accused and produced them before court. "Our further investigation into the case is on," said a police official.
Talapatia police recovered the body of Tapan Sahu today morning and sent it for postmortem. Cops also detained one of the accused, while efforts are on to nab the other.
Reports said, Sahu along with his friends- Debraj Singh and Deben had arranged a feast at the panchayat office last night. However, an altercation broke out among them while they were in an inebriated state.
Later, Debraj and Deben pushed Tapan from the rooftop and fled the spot.
"At around 1.30 am, Deben came to Tapan's house and asked his parents to rush to the panchayat office. Later, he ran away from there. When his (Tapan) parents reached the office, they found Tapan lying in an unconscious state on the ground," said a villager, Om Prakash Sahu.
Though Tapan was immediately rushed to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), he was declared brought dead by the doctors.
The Commissionerate Police arrested notorious criminal Sushant Majhi after an encounter in K7 area at Kalinga Nagar in the capital city. Majhi was wanted in several cases of murder and loot in the State. He was also reportedly involved in the dacoity of Rs 60 lakh from a bank in Tangi area in Bhubaneswar recently.
Majhi, who is a resident of Hatabasta area in Nayagarh district, was reportedly on his way to Bhubaneswar for a dacoity, when a police team, acting on a tipoff about the loot plan, intercepted him near K7 area.
In a bid to escape arrest, Majhi reportedly opened fire at the cops but sustained bullet injury on his left leg after the police team fired back in retaliation. Subsequently, the injured criminal was rushed to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and later shifted to the SCB hospital after his condition deteriorated.
Police seized a 9 mm pistol and five live bullets from Majhi's possession.
In another crackdown on criminals in the State, a joint team of Nirakar and Tangi police officials arrested a dreaded criminal identified as Jamshed Khan following an encounter near Rameshwar in Khurda district Wednesday night.
Acting on a tipoff about the movement of Khan, the police team including IICs of both Nirakarpur and Tangi Police Stations raided a place in Rameshwar area. On seeing the cops, Khan hurled a country-made bomb on them injuring the two IICs and two other cops. Later, the police team fired back in retaliation and nabbed Khan.
Khan, who sustained bullet injuries on his left leg, is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS in Bhubaneswar.
As per reports, armed miscreants looted gold ornaments and cash from the house of a couple at gun point in Tikarpada village under Sadar Police Station on Saturday.
Sources said, around eight miscreants with guns barged into the house of one Narendra Behera at around 9 PM. On being opposed by Behera’s wife, the dacoits brandished guns on the couple and looted all the valuables from the house.
Later, they also took away the bike parked outside the house before fleeing the spot. Sadar Police rushed to the spot after getting information and started investigation.
In another loot incident from Barbil area of the district yesterday, a transport company employee (Satyananda Rout) was allegedly attacked with sharp weapons and looted Rs 4 lakh from him.
As per allegations, Rout was inside the premises of Shree Jagannath Metallic Company premises when a local youth identified as Giridhari Sharma attacked him with an iron rod and looted the money from him.
Rout, who received critical injuries in his head and leg in the attack, was admitted to Barbil Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, police investigation is on in connection with the incident.
The injured, Bibhu Behera has been admitted to District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for treatment.
According to reports, an altercation erupted between Bibhu and his elder brother Milu Behera over some issue yesterday. Enraged over it, Bibhu hurled bomb at Milu which missed the target. In retaliation, Milu opened fire at Bibhu, sources said.
On getting information, Sadar Police Station officials and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) rushed to district headquarters hospital and initiated a probe into the matter.
The deceased Arjun Baliarsingh, who is suspected to be murdered over past enmity, was a resident of Manipur village under Fatehgarh police limits of Nayagarh district.
As per reports, some bike-borne miscreants allegedly took Baliarsingh from his house at Manipur and shot him dead near Baradalia at Madhupalli before leaving the spot.
On getting information, police rescued Baliarsingh and admitted him to Kalapathara hospital. Later, he was shifted to Khurda hospital after his condition deteriorated but doctor declared him brought dead.
Fatehgarh PS IIC Girija Nandan Patnaik informed that police investigation is underway to nab the culprits.
Police have arrested two accused Jagannath Pradhan alias Jaga of Mulu village under Balikuda Police limits and his friend Rakesh Muduli who were hired as contract killers to eliminate Rashmi Ranjan.
Police sources said that Rashmi Ranjan was harassing a married woman of his village and also attempted to molest her by entering her house. When the woman intimated the matter to her husband, who works in Mumbai, he warned Swain to stay away from his wife.
However, Swain did not pay attention to his warning and continued to harass the woman. Later, the woman's husband cracked a deal with two goons- Jaga and Rakesh for Rs 3 lakh to eliminate Swain.
Narrating the modus operandi of the crime, Jagatsinghpur SP Prakash R said that on the night of October 22, Jaga along with his friend, Rakesh murdered Rashmi Ranjan with a sharp weapon after making him drink alcohol and disposed his body in a pond.
"After detailed investigation, we found that the Rashmi Ranjan was forcing a married woman for having illicit relationship with him and harassing her. When the woman complained about it to her husband, he hired two goons (Jaga & Rakesh) for Rs 3 lakh to eliminate Rashmi Ranjan. The main accused also paid them Rs 50,000 in advance," informed the SP.
"Police have recovered the murder weapon, the advance money from possession of the contract killers and also seized Rashmi Ranjan's motorcycle, which dumped into the pond after the murder," added the SP.
Meanwhile, a team of police officials have left for Mumbai to nab the mastermind behind the murder.
As per reports, the truck was en-route to Kolkata from Hyderabad when a group of armed miscreants waylaid the vehicle and brandished gun at the driver. They later tied the hands and legs of the driver and threw him in Ugratara forest before fleeing the spot with the vehicle.
Some locals rescued the driver in the morning following which an FIR was lodged at the local police station, added reports.
Subsequently, police initiated an investigation and recovered the empty truck from Kuhudi near Kainthapalli road in the district.
Further investigation into the incident is underway and the miscreants will be nabbed soon, said a police official.
The matter came to the fore after the family members of the minor girl lodged a complaint at Borigumma Police Station on Thursday, said reports.
As per the complaint, a youth identified as Dambaru Muduli asked the girl to accompany her for sightseeing around the village but allegedly took her to a nearby forest and raped her.
Later, he dropped her home and threatened her not to reveal the incident to anyone. However when the girlfell sick, she opened up about the incident to her mother. Later she was rushed to Jepore Hospital for treatment.
"She told me that the accused (Muduli) took her with him and raped her," alleged the mother of the girl.
Police have initiated an investigation into the incident after registering an FIR. The accused on the other hand, is stated to be absconding after the case.
The matter came to fore after a complaint was lodged in connection with the incident at Plant Site Police Station on Sunday.
Sources said that the two girls are students of Sushilavati Government Women's College who have been staying in the quarters of their relative in the OSAP campus.
As per the complaint, the girls were returning from college to the quarters on Saturday when the accused constable allegedly misbehaved with them.
However, the two girls managed to escape from the spot and informed the matter to their relative. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged at the Plant Site Police Station.
Meanwhile, police are interrogating the OSAP constable.
As per reports, the man identified as Tulu Pradhan had come to his in-laws house to meet his daughter on the occasion of Prathamashtami yesterday.
However, an altercation erupted between Tulu, his wife and brother-in-law over some issues. Later, both of them allegedly killed Tulu and chopped his body into several pieces.
After geting information from the accused following their surrender, officials of Jagannath Prasad Police Station rushed to the spot and recovered the severed palm and other parts of Tulu’s body from his in-laws house. A Scientific team also reached the spot for detailed investigation.
Police officials said Purohit was a businessman by profession and killed by Kanhar for asking the latter to repay a loan amounting to Rs 18,000.
As per reports, Kanhar had borrowed Rs 18,000 from Purohit. But after he failed to repay the loan on given time, Purohit kept on asking him about the same, as such both of them were not in good terms.
Irked over this, Kanhar decided to eliminate Purohit and eventually killed him with a sharp weapon, said police officials.
Meanwhile, police have also seized the murder weapon. Kanhar on the other hand was forwarded to court.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rayagada Town Police Station conducted a raid in his hideout in the town in the wee hours at around 4 AM. In order to escape the arrest, Siva opened fire and cops retaliated, during which a bullet hit the left knee of Siva. Subsequently, the criminal was nabbed.
Siva was initially admitted to Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
On the other hand, SI Rigan Kindo and Havildar Dilip Hota who sustained injuries during the gun battle have been admitted to Rayagada headquarters hospital for treatment.
Police sources also claimed that Siva is involved in the recent abduction case of a youth in Sonepur.
Acting on a tip-off, a special team of Commissionerate raided the hotel and arrested six persons including two middlemen and four customers.
Six girls, who reportedly hail from West Bengal, have been rescued. However, the kingpin of the sex racket managed to flee the spot.
Several objectionable items including some cash have also been seized during the raid.
The owner of the hotel has been detained and further investigation in this connection is underway. More details are awaited.
Bablu sustained bullet injuries on his right leg during the police encounter and has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Three policemen who also received injuries during the gunfight with the criminal have been admitted to hospital.
Acting on a tip-off about the movement of Bablu and his two associates in Naraj, a team of Choudwar police, officials of the special squad raided the area at around 3 AM. In a bid to escape the arrest, Bablu opened fire at the cops. Cops retaliated, injuring the criminal leg and subsequently nabbed him. However, his two associates managed to flee the spot.
Earlier on Monday night, eight members of Bablu's gang were arrested while they were trying to loot a gold ornament shop in Cuttack.
As many as 15 cases of crimes are pending against Bablu in different police stations across the State. The gang run by Bablu had been carrying out various criminal activities like loot, snatching in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, Angul, Talcher, Baripada, Berhampur and Rourkela, said sources.
This morning, when locals spotted the body of the youth with his throat slit and grievous injuries on other parts of the body, they immediately informed police about this, who rushed to the spot along with a scientific team. Police have seized some liquor bottles, a stone with blood stains and a motorcycle from the spot.
Based on the registration number of the bike, preliminary investigation revealed that the youth might be a resident of Jalada area of Rourkela. However, his exact identity is yet to be established.
Meanwhile, some workers of the factory informed that they saw the youth last evening partying with some of his friends in the forest.
While an investigation is underway, initial reports suggest that an altercation might have ensued between them following which they attacked the youth with stone and slit his throat.
Addressing a presser, Khurda SP Ajay Pratap Swain also announced provision of cash reward for those who can give information on the killer.
“The four teams formed to investigate the case are continuing probe. We have released a photo of the suspect and anyone who brings information about the assailant will be rewarded by Khurda Police and his identity will also be kept secret,” announced Sahoo.
The doctor who was shot at during the incident is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar while a pharmacist Krushna Chandra Sahoo who also sustained gun shot wounds had already succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment few days back.
“The doctor is gradually recovering. After he gets well completely, we hope he will give us vital information in connection with the case,” said the SP.
Though the exact reason behind the attack is yet to be established, the SP further said the miscreant was hired by someone to execute the crime.
As per latest reports, the girl's family members alleged that she was dumped at the spot after being raped by some miscreants. They have also lodged an FIR at Marine Police Station in this connection.
Sources said the minor girl went missing at around 11 PM on January 10 from her village in Sonapur area and was found in unconscious state the next day in Marine Police Station area of the district. She was reportedly rescued by some locals and admitted to the hospital.
Based on the complaint, police have initiated an investigation by registering a case under POCSO Act.
“Police have launched an investigation into the incident. The girl is undergoing treatment at MKCG Hospital and her health condition is stable,” said Berhampur SP Pinaki Mishra.
Police have also recorded the statement of the minor girl and she will be produced before the magistrate later in the day today, said reports.
The arrested accused has been identified as Pradeep Agasti. Earlier, police had arrested the victim’s male friend Ashish Nayak in connection with the incident.
As per reports, Agasti was also in the room when and where the incident happened. He has reportedly been arrested on the charges of helping the accused (Ashish Nayak) and trying to bury evidence.
Though Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahoo had termed it to be a case of accidental firing, the family members of the girl today alleged that it was a pre-planned attack.
It is alleged that Agasti had hired Ashish to kill the girl. “It was not a case of accidental firing, rather a pre-planned crime. They had planned to kill my niece,” alleged the girl's uncle.
"Both the accused had gone to my daughter's room to threaten her. One of the accused tried to threaten her with the gun but when she refused budge, the accused shot at my daughter's leg," said the father of the girl.
It is pertinent to mention here that one of the accused Ashish Nayak has criminal antecedents. He was earlier arrested in connection with a bombing case in Nayapalli.
Acting on a tip-off, the STF conducted a raid on the illegal tobacco manufacturing unit in the wee hours today. As per sources, packets of fake tobacco, the packaging materials along with all the equipment used in the preparation of the zarda has been seized from the unit.
While there is no information yet on the number of people arrested, the officials have reportedly begun an investigation to find out details of the racket involved in it.
Two days back, the STF had seized more than 2.5 quintals of fake/duplicate zarda and other tobacco products following a raid at fake tobacco manufacturing units on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Jatani and Balipatna areas. Two accused were arrested based on cases registered at Jatni and Balipatna PS in this regard.
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The trio was allegedly killed by their neighbour's family with an axe following a dispute over land.
The victim was reportedly on his way to delivery an order when the miscreants attacked him and decamped with his items.
Meanwhile, police have reached the spot and begun an investigation.
Both the girls have been admitted to Boden hospital in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, police have detained the attacker and further investigation into the case is underway.
It is pertinent to mention here that according to the latest report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Odisha remained at the second spot to have witnessed the most number of cases related to molestation of women.
The NCRB report said a total of 11,318 women were molested in the State in 2019.
Also Read: Odisha: Rising Crimes Against Women, Cyber Crime Rock State Assembly
Similarly, the State had witnessed seven girl children kidnapped and five girls gone missing every day in 2018.
The NCRB report 2018 had put the recovery rate of missing children in Odisha at mere 32.6 per cent, second lowest in country. The rate count dropped further in 2019 to mere around 19 per cent, revealed the provisional data with State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB).
Read More: 7 girl child kidnapped, 5 went missing everyday in Odisha: NCRB
A total of 51,617 persons have been arrested in connection with the cases. Besides, 16370 cases have been registered and 5915 persons arrested this year till February 11, Mishra said.
Replying to a questioned asked by MLA Mohan Majhi, Mishra said Rs 48,49,48,370 have been collected as penalty for violation of Covid-19 guidelines during the 10 months.
Mishra also admitted that the cyber crime has marginally increased in the State and asserted that the State police is ready to tackle the menace.
Replying to a query of Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Mishra said creation of awareness among public is crucial for prevention of various types of cyber crimes. Various advisories have been uploaded for public on the State Crime Branch website www.odishapolicecbcid.gov.in.
As many as 4273 cyber crime cases have been registered in three years- 2018, 2019 and 2020. While 1319 cases related to crime against women, 2704 are financial fraud. A total of 974 have been arrested in connection with the cases and one person has been convicted by court, informed Mishra while answering to the question posed by MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.