Odisha’s Crime Surge Demands Urgent Reform, Says NCRB 2023
Bhubaneswar, Sept 30: Odisha has emerged as one of India’s most crime-affected states, ranking 11th nationally in overall crime rates, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 report.
The data reveals a disturbing rise in crimes against women, children, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), and a sharp spike in cyber offences.
The report, released by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, shows Odisha topping per capita crime charts in several categories. Crimes against women surged by 343% since 2000, with 36,432 cases registered in 2023 alone.
The state ranks third nationally in absolute numbers and first in per capita terms, with 90.2 cases per lakh female population.
Kidnapping and abduction cases rose to 5,213 in 2023, while dowry-related cruelty cases under IPC Section 498A reached 17,529—placing Odisha second nationally.
However, conviction rates remain dismally low across the board: just 11.6% overall, 9.3% for crimes against women, and under 6% for SC/ST atrocities.
Cybercrime has exploded, with cases rising from 34 in 2010 to 1,213 in 2023—a 35-fold increase. Financial fraud and online harassment of women dominate the category.
Custodial deaths and road accidents also reflect systemic failures. Seven custodial deaths were reported in 2023, with zero convictions. Road accidents claimed 5,213 lives, with hit-and-run cases up 16.5% and conviction rates below 5%.
The report underscores the need for urgent judicial reforms, enhanced forensic infrastructure, and improved police accountability to reverse the trend of rising crime and falling convictions.
