93% surge in snatching incidents in Bhubaneswar in 2025; women & elderly are prime targets

Bhubaneswar: Snatching incidents in Bhubaneswar have surged to alarming levels, with recent police data showing a 93% spike in 2025, raising concerns about public safety and policing efficiency.Statistics reveal that snatching cases soared to 166 in 2025, compared to just 86 in 2024. The introduction of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on July 1, 2024, played a key role in this shift, as it formally recognized snatching as a distinct crime category. Under the erstwhile IPC, investigators had the discretion to register such cases under broader categories like ‘theft’ or ‘robbery,’ often diluting the seriousness of the offence.A look at past incidents shows that women and elderly citizens remain the prime targets of snatchers. A ready reckoner published by the Bureau of Police Research and Development notes: “Snatching has shown itself as one of the largest threats to all strata of society, predominantly women and the elderly.”Citizens have expressed concern over the rising numbers. “Snatching is a serious offence as it creates panic in public places and reflects the audacity of goons and their disregard for law enforcement. It erodes the sense of security in public spaces and creates a climate of fear,” said Sumanjit Mohanty, a member of a resident welfare association in Khandagiri.Another resident, Pratima Sahu, added: “We are scared to even carry handbags or mobile phones openly. The police must act decisively, otherwise people will lose faith in the system.”Legal experts argue that the problem is deeper than statistics suggest. Senior lawyer Sidharth Das pointed out that many incidents often go unreported. “We often come across cases where complainants were forced by cops to not mention snatching in their FIR. Police often insist complainants report missing of articles instead. There are also instances of police scaring away such complaints.”When asked about the reasons behind the surge, police officials maintained that the rise in numbers reflects better reporting rather than an actual increase in crime.“Crime statistics are dynamic in nature and depend on multiple factors such as population density, urbanisation, reporting practices, and increased public awareness. Bhubaneswar, being a rapidly growing urban centre, witnesses higher registration of cases due to better accessibility of police services and prompt registration of FIRs,” said a senior officer, adding that the police acted swiftly in almost all cases. “We busted several snatchers’ gangs and made impressive recoveries of stolen articles. Many snatchers are still in jail. Conviction in property offences has improved,” the police officer said.Critics remain unconvinced. Social activist Ranjan Patnaik said: “Improved reporting cannot explain the fear people feel daily. The fact that women and senior citizens are repeatedly targeted shows that preventive policing is weak.”