Congress forms five-member fact-finding team to probe crimes against women in Odisha 

The Congress party has set up a five-member fact-finding team to investigate the alleged increase in recent crimes against women in Odisha. 

To be headed by AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, the team will comprise of members of parliament Ranjeet Ranjan, Praniti Shinde, S. Jothimani and former spokesperson Shobha Oza. They will also submit a report to the party leadership.

The formation of the committee was triggered by the rape incident reported from Gopalpur in Odisha. A 20‑year‑old college student was allegedly attacked on the evening of June 15 along with her male friend, at the stretch of Gopalpur beach during the Raja festival, by a group of 10 men, six adults and four 17‑year‑old minors.

Earlier, Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi had publicly condemned the Gopalpur gang rape, accusing the ruling dispensation in Odisha of gross negligence, underscoring that 44,000 women and children have disappeared in Odisha over the last five years.

The Congress alleged that the incident was part of a worrying statewide pattern, with similar crimes occurring in other districts. “Crimes against women like rape and murder are increasing under the BJP government in Odisha. For example, the recent gang rape of the tourist was shameful. The Mahila Congress women had gheraoed the Vidhan Sabha and even written to the CM, informing him about the situation. After the Vidhan Sabha gherao, the Congress leaders were suspended from the Vidhan Sabha,” Odisha Mahila Congress President Meenakshi Bahinipati said addressing a press conference in Delhi.

Congress MLA Sofiya Firdous said that the Congress party has been consistently raising its voice inside the state assembly for the formation of a House Committee. “Within just eight months of the BJP government coming to power in the state, nearly 1,700 rape cases had already been reported — but our demand was not heard,” she said accusing the state government of inaction.

According to the Congress leaders, in June 2025, Odisha reported at least three gang‑rape incidents. On 19th June, in Mayurbhanj, a 31‑year‑old woman was allegedly assaulted by a group of four men known to her. In another incident on June 18, a 17‑year‑old girl was found hanging near Tentlapashi village in Keonjhar, also suspected to be a rape‑murder. 

Former CM Naveen Patnaik had also been vocal on crimes against women and criticised the state government for poor safety at touristy places.

The Opposition is trying to corner the one-year-old Mohan Charan Majhi government in the state over a series of issues, particularly women's safety. The renewed attack on the Majhi government has come following the alleged rape incident. ‘

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhubneshwar on June 20 to address a programme to mark first year of BJP government in the state. 

India