Overview

• Police have arrested a hockey coach and two former coaches for allegedly raping a 15-year-old in Jajpur while probes continue into gangrape and assault cases in Jagatsinghpur, Malkangiri and Puri.
• Over 600 women and child help desks across Odisha’s police stations remain nonfunctional, depriving survivors of vital support and reporting channels.
• Ravenshaw University drew criticism for issuing and then rescinding a 5:30 PM curfew on female students, a move condemned as victim blaming.
• Last month’s US Level 2 travel advisory now requires Americans to seek special permission to travel beyond Odisha’s capitals, underscoring international concerns over women’s safety.
• Patnaik urged the BJP-led government to remove political pressure from police ranks and deliver decisive action to restore public trust and curb further violence.