Recap 2024: Top crime stories that shook Odisha

Odisha witnessed 769 cases related to rape of minors since June 10. 509 women were raped and 41 gang rape cases were reported during the period. 459 murder cases and 161 murders of women were also registered in the state during the June 10-November 22 period. 9,248 cases of torture of women, while 24 dowry-related deaths and 5,398 dowry-related torture cases were reported during the five months.

We take a look at some of the major incidents of crime, which took the state by storm:

Minor Girl's Dismembered Body Found in Rourkela River

The dismembered body of a minor girl, missing from Jharsuguda, was recovered from the Brahmani River on Wednesday. The primary suspect, previously booked under the POCSO Act, was out on bail. Police are investigating the gruesome murder.

Army Officer, Fiancee Harassed, Then Abused by Police

The incident in Bharatpur, where an Army officer and his fiancée were allegedly harassed by local youth, has sparked significant outrage. On the night of September 15, when the couple sought police assistance, they were instead detained and allegedly subjected to abuse by the authorities. The woman was reportedly assaulted and molested. Odisha Crime Branch also registered criminal cases against five police personnel dn started investigation into the matter. The High Court expressed its concern over the alleged custodial abuse of a woman, the fiancée of a serving Army officer, who had gone to a police station in Bhubaneswar to lodge a complaint in a road rage case. The incident drew strong criticism from the opposition, which accused the BJP-led government in the state of failing to maintain law and order. Furthermore, the opposition raised concerns about the lack of action on CCTV surveillance, calling it a missed opportunity to prevent such incidents.

Gold Chain Snatching Case Leads to Woman’s Death in Bhubaneswar

Twin City Commissionerate Police made a significant breakthrough in a high-profile gold chain snatching case that led to the death of a woman in Bhubaneswar. The accused, Raja Naidu from Jharkhand, was arrested after an extensive investigation across Odisha and Jharkhand. Six police teams raided various locations, and after examining over 400 CCTV footage, Naidu was apprehended in Jharkhand. The incident when 45-year-old Bishnu Patra was traveling with her husband near Labanagiri hills. Naidu snatched her gold chain, causing her to fall and suffer fatal head injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.

Love, Sex & Dhokha in Cuttack

A young woman, working as a bar dancer in Cuttack, claims that a DJ, Aman, exploited her under the promise of marriage. After engaging in multiple physical relationships, Aman allegedly backed out of his promise and began blackmailing her with intimate videos recorded without her consent. The incident has sparked public outrage, raising concerns over women's safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in handling such cases.

Burglars gang-rape woman after looting her ornaments in Bhubaneswar apartment

Two burglars looted ornaments in an apartment in Odisha's Bhubaneswar at knifepoint and then gangraped the woman occupant by threatening to kill her 2-year-old daughter if she screamed for help. The crime took place around 2am on September 30 in Bhubaneswar's Maitri Vihar. Later the accused were arrested.