Odisha DGP Calls For Swift Probe Into Crimes Against Women To Increase Conviction Rate

Bhubaneswar: Underlining the need to increase conviction rate in crimes against women, Odisha’s Director General of Police Y B Khurania has asked officials to take adequate measures to ensure expeditious investigation in such cases.

Addressing a workshop on women and child safety organised by the state Crime Branch in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, the state police chief said that violent crimes against women is a matter of concern for all and adequate care must be taken at every level to prevent this.

Khurania directed the supervisory officers and Superintendents of Police to closely oversee the investigation of these cases.

Referring to the National Crime Records Bureau data, the police chief said the conviction rate of such cases in Odisha is only 9.1 per cent. Swiftness in investigation process and proper training on handling sensitive cases can help increase the conviction rate, he said.

Describing women as the foundation of the society, the DGP said their efforts to ensure the proper functioning of society are truly praiseworthy. However, the women at different times are being subjected to rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, harassment in public and cybercrime-related offences, which is cause of concern for all, he said.

Ensuring the safety of women and girls is the primary duty of police, he said, adding that women will play a major role in the realisation of the dream of a Viksit Odisha by 2036. Odisha Police is committed to making Odisha a model state for women’s safety across the country in the days to come, said Khurania

He said that the culprits can get punished in a short period of time using the provisions under the existing laws such as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiay Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.

The police chief said cyber patrolling should be intensified and social media monitoring made more proactive to prevent the rapid circulation of sensitive photos and videos of women and children.

The DGP also felicitated District SPs, Investigating Officers, Supervising Officers, and Public Prosecutors for securing swift and successful convictions in 13 cases.