Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disclosed on Monday that a total of 22 women police personnel in the state became victims of various crimes over the past three years. The revelation came in a written reply to a query raised by BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb in the state assembly.
Details of Registered Cases and Nature of Crimes
The Chief Minister stated that between 2023 and September 2025, 22 cases were registered concerning the harassment of women working within the police department. These incidents occurred across police stations and offices. Majhi assured the house that stringent legal action was taken against all identified culprits.
According to the provided police data, a significant portion of these cases involved domestic violence. Alarmingly, four cases of rape were reported, which authorities indicated stemmed from strained personal relationships. The Bhubaneswar urban police district recorded the highest number of such crimes, with five incidents logged during this period.
Recent Tragic Incidents Highlight the Issue
The most recent and severe case was the murder of 25-year-old traffic constable Subhamitra Sahoo in September. Her husband, 39-year-old constable Deepak Kumar Rout, was arrested on September 17. He is accused of killing Sahoo following a financial dispute and burying her body in Keonjhar on September 6.
In another separate case from October, the Mahila police arrested an armed police inspector. He was taken into custody on October 22 for allegedly sexually exploiting a woman sub-inspector under the false pretext of marriage.
Safety Measures Implemented for Women Personnel
In his reply, CM Majhi outlined several key measures the administration has implemented to safeguard women in the police force. He emphasized that every case of violence against women personnel is treated as a "special report case", ensuring thorough investigation and monitoring by senior district officers.
The highlighted initiatives include:
- Regular briefings and sensitisation sessions on conduct rules and workplace norms.
- Formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) in all workplaces, including police stations, as mandated by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
- Installation of comprehensive CCTV coverage across police premises.
- Provision of improved infrastructure, including separate restrooms and toilets for women.
- Implementation of strict anti-harassment policies and gender sensitisation training programs.
- Ensuring maternity and childcare benefits along with robust grievance redressal mechanisms.
The government's response underscores a dual approach: taking strict action in reported cases while simultaneously building a preventive framework through policy, infrastructure, and sensitization to create a safer working environment for women police personnel in Odisha.
