Odisha DGP Y B Khurania calls for improved conviction rates in crimes against women

DGP Y B Khurania on Tuesday emphasised the urgent need to improve conviction rates in crimes against women. He directed supervisory officers to closely oversee the investigation of these cases to ensure justice is served. “Ensuring the safety of women is a top priority for us. Our chief minister maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women. According to the NCRB’s 2022 report, our state’s conviction rate for such cases was 9.24, significantly below the national average of 25.3. We are making earnest efforts to enhance this rate,” Khurania stated during a workshop on ‘women safety’ organised by the Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAWCW), addressing SPs and range IGPs/DIGs.Khurania highlighted that the quality of investigations and the conviction rate for violence against women improved over the past year. “Initially, a few districts achieved convictions in cases of crimes against women in the shortest possible time. This has now become a torrent and widespread practice, with many districts consistently ensuring thorough investigations and securing convictions,” Khurania noted, expressing concern that some districts are still “laggard”.He reported that this year, at least 32 cases related to crimes against women resulted in convictions, with trials completed within 90 to 150 days. “Our primary focus is on time-bound investigations and swift trials. Range IGPs/DIGs and SPs must personally oversee the investigation of these cases to ensure convictions are achieved,” Khurania urged while presenting awards to several investigating officers and SPs for their success in securing convictions.Commending the Mohan Majhi govt for providing adequate resources to strengthen the Odisha police, Khurania warned that exemplary action would be taken against officers who fail to perform. “I acknowledge that vacancies are a concern. The govt is committed to addressing this issue and has generously provided us with more manpower, funds, vehicles, and other infrastructure. With these available resources, we must deliver, as women’s safety is at the core of the govt’s thrust on people-friendly policing,” Khurania emphasised. The DGP instructed all police stations to promptly attend to complaints from women and address their grievances without delay.