In 2021, crimes against women increased by 23 per cent in Odisha. With this, the State was ranked third in the country in terms of crime against women after Assam and Delhi, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

The data revealed that Odisha registered a surge in cases of rape, abduction, domestic violence in 2021. As per the NCRB report, the crime rate rose to 137.8 per 1 lakh women population in Odisha in 2021 as compared to 112.9 in 2020.

Total 31,352 cases of crime against women were registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), special and local laws in 2021 whereas the number was 25,489 in 2020.

The State registered 65.3% cases of assault on women in 2021 as against 17.8% in 2020.

The report stated that the cases under Section 376 (rape) rose by 20.23 per cent to 1,456. As many as 12 women were killed following rape or gang-rape, while 151 attempt-to-rape incidents and 838 cases of harassment of women were registered at different police stations in the State in 2021.

Besides, total 2,496 cases were lodged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, an increase of crime on minor girls by 13.35%.

The State recorded the highest number of 565 cases of cyber crimes against women by uploading sexually implicit materials on social media platforms or blackmailing them through fake profiles.

The domestic violence cases increased by 33.62% to 4,889 in the second consecutive year amid Covid-19 lockdown. The abduction cases surged by 37.1% to 5,175 in 2021.

The State recorded 293 dowry deaths last year. While 465 cases were lodged under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 27 cases were registered under abetment of suicide, and 3 cases were lodged for acid attack.

The NCRB report said the court disposal cases relating to crimes against women were also minimal. While the percentage of women-related cases were pending trial was 98.6%, which is the highest in the country, the conviction rate was only 8.3%, against the national average of 26.6%.