Did Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan Justify Criticism of Opponents for Politicizing Crimes Against Women?
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Synopsis
Odisha's Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, confronts the BJD for exploiting sensitive issues like women's crimes for political gain. He asserts a decline in such incidents under the BJP and reveals shocking details about a police officer's brutal crime, emphasizing the government's commitment to women's safety. What's more, the call for re-investigating previous cases could reshape the narrative.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Law Minister criticizes political exploitation of women's crime.
- Decline in crimes against women reported since BJP's governance.
- Shocking revelations about officer's murder case.
- Re-investigation ordered for past unsolved cases.
- Government's commitment to women's safety highlighted.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 24 (NationPress) Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan vehemently criticized the opposition Biju Janata Dal for their politicization of sensitive matters such as crimes against women during a recent assembly session.
While addressing an adjournment motion initiated by BJD members concerning the horrific murder of a female traffic constable by her husband, the minister asserted that the occurrence of crimes against women in Odisha has declined since the Bharatiya Janata Party took office.
In a shocking update regarding the brutal slaying of traffic constable Subhamitra Sahoo, Harichandan revealed that the perpetrator, Deepak Kumar Rout, had previously murdered his first wife, deceiving authorities by labeling it an accident in 2022.
Harichandan explained that Rout had wed his first spouse, Aparna Priyadarshini, in 2018, and killed her in 2022 to claim insurance benefits.
He alleged that the previous BJD government was in power during this incident.
Although the death was classified as a truck accident, further investigations disclosed that the truck was absent from the scene on the day of the alleged incident, leading to questions about the motives behind the cover-up.
After the assembly session, Harichandan remarked to the media: “The earlier state administration failed to gather any evidence against Rout in the 2022 murder case. He escaped punishment and resumed his police duties after serving 16 years in the force in Bhubaneswar. The truck mentioned by Rout as involved in the accident that killed his first wife was not present at the scene.”
He also announced that a re-investigation order has been issued regarding the murder angle of the road mishap case filed at the Khuntuni police station in Cuttack.
During his address on the adjournment motion, Harichandan emphasized that the state has witnessed a significant drop in various types of crimes against women—such as sexual harassment, public disrobing, stalking, acid attacks, and trafficking—since the BJP took office between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, compared to the same timeframe from July 2023 to June 2024.
“Our government prioritizes the safety of women. We are determined to expedite justice for victims of sexual assault,” stated Harichandan in the assembly.
He cited an example from a sexual assault case managed by the Brajarajnagar police station, where the offenders were sentenced to 25 years in prison within 55 days of the case being filed.
Point of View
We acknowledge that the politicization of crimes against women remains a sensitive issue. It's imperative to focus on the facts and the decline in such incidents while ensuring accountability in past cases. The commitment to women's safety must transcend political divides, fostering a collaborative approach towards justice.
NationPress
24/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Odisha's Law Minister say about crimes against women?
He claimed that the incidence of crimes against women has decreased since the BJP took power and criticized the opposition for politicizing these issues.
What was revealed about the murder case of the traffic constable?
The minister disclosed that the accused had previously murdered his first wife and disguised it as an accident.
What actions are being taken regarding the previous murder case?
A re-investigation order has been issued for the murder angle in the road mishap case.
How has the government prioritized women's safety?
The government has committed to ensuring speedy justice in sexual abuse cases and has highlighted a significant decrease in various crimes against women.
What example did the minister cite to support his claims?
He mentioned a sexual abuse case where the culprits were sentenced to 25 years in prison within 55 days of registration.
