The Odisha government has officially changed the English spellings of 64 places, including major cities like Cuttack (now Kataka) and Balasore (now Baleshwar), to align with Odia phonetics. This move aims to preserve the state's linguistic and cultural identity by correcting colonial-era anglicised names and standardising official records.
Security forces in Odisha's Kandhamal district seized a significant cache of arms and ammunition from a Maoist dump. The operation was launched based on information obtained from surrendered Maoists, leading to the recovery of a self-loading rifle, guns, detonators, and a grenade. This follows a similar seizure along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border recently.
A notorious criminal, Prafulla Mallik alias Pappu, was injured in a gunfight with police in Odisha's Bhadrak district during a raid on his hideout. Pappu, who has around 25 criminal cases against him, opened fire on the police team before being shot in the leg.
Odisha Police swiftly arrested six individuals involved in a gunpoint robbery in Sundargarh district, recovering the looted cash and other items. The accused had stolen Rs 1.10 lakh from a dispensary-cum-residence before being apprehended through a coordinated police effort.
A 25-year-old man in Odisha's Bhadrak district allegedly murdered his 55-year-old mother with an axe, reportedly due to his suspicion that she practised black magic. Police have detained the accused, who is believed to be mentally disturbed, and are investigating the incident.
The Odisha government has begun efforts to rescue five migrant workers from Kendrapada district who are reportedly stranded in Thailand. The workers, who travelled on tourist visas but were employed in a plywood company, claim they are being held against their will, denied wages, and subjected to harassment.
The Odisha Vigilance has arrested Baikuntha Nath Behera, an assistant executive engineer, for possessing disproportionate assets worth crores, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, multiple properties, and gold jewellery. The arrest followed raids that uncovered extensive wealth, with some lockers yet to be opened.
Odisha Vigilance has seized an additional 703 grams of gold from a bank locker belonging to Baikuntha Nath Behera, an assistant executive engineer, bringing the total recovery to 1.255 kg. Behera was arrested for possessing assets disproportionate to his known income, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, five buildings, 14 plots, and significant deposits.
Odisha Vigilance has seized an additional 703 grams of gold from a bank locker belonging to Baikuntha Nath Behera, an assistant executive engineer, bringing the total recovery to 1.255 kg. Behera was arrested for possessing assets disproportionate to his known income, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, five buildings, 14 plots, and significant deposits.
A man accused in the lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain was arrested in Bhubaneswar, bringing the total arrests in the case to 17. The constable was allegedly beaten to death by a mob on May 7 after being accused of attempted rape.
One more person has been arrested in connection with the lynching of a GRP constable in Odisha, bringing the total number of arrests to 18. The incident occurred after the constable was accused of attempted rape following a road accident.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi dismissed an officer from government service due to alleged corruption, specifically irregularities in land-related matters during his tenure as additional tahsildar in Bhubaneswar.
A miscreant, Prafulla Mallik alias Pappu, with 25 criminal cases against him, was injured in a gunfight with police in Bhadrak, Odisha, during a raid on his hideout where he was planning a robbery. Three police personnel also sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.
Odisha Police have successfully dismantled a chain snatching racket operating in Khurda district, arresting six individuals. The bust was aided by the force's face recognition system, which identified two suspects during a vehicle check, leading to further arrests and the recovery of stolen gold, cash, and mobile phones.
Odisha Police have invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against two habitual criminals in Mayurbhanj district, who are currently in judicial custody. This action was taken due to their extensive criminal records and disregard for law, aiming to prevent further acts prejudicial to public order.
A man wanted in multiple criminal cases was injured in a police encounter in Odisha's Jharsuguda district. The accused, Jay Chauhan, sustained a bullet injury during the exchange of fire and was hospitalised. Police arrested Chauhan and four of his associates, seizing weapons from their possession.
A 32-year-old daily wage labourer in Odisha's Ganjam district has died allegedly after being tortured in police custody, prompting a high-level investigation.
Odisha Vigilance arrested a cooperative official, Patitapaban Majhi, for allegedly misappropriating over Rs 33 lakh in government funds during his tenure at the Garhsantri Service Co-operative Society.
A daily wage labourer in Odisha has died in police custody, with his family alleging torture and hot water burns. The state police chief has ordered a high-level probe, and staff at the police station have been transferred.
Residents of Chandiprasad village in Odisha protest against alleged police torture of a man who refused to identify a body as his missing wife. The state police chief has sought a report on the allegations.
Odisha Police busted a gambling racket in Sundargrah district, arresting 26 people and seizing cash, vehicles, and mobile phones. They also arrested a shop owner involved in IPL betting and are searching for three more suspects.
A 50-year-old woman, Nandini Dehury, was allegedly beaten to death by her 30-year-old neighbour, Hari Dehury, in Jajpur, Odisha, following a long-standing dispute over homestead land. Police have arrested the accused and are investigating the murder, suspecting property dispute as the motive.
Three individuals have been detained in Odisha's Dhenkanal district for allegedly electrocuting a wild elephant and burying its carcass on a farmhouse property.
A 60-year-old woman and her 35-year-old daughter were brutally murdered in Odisha's Sambalpur district, allegedly due to suspicions of practising witchcraft. Police have identified a local youth as the primary suspect and are investigating the motive behind the heinous crime.
Odisha's opposition BJD has requested Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to clarify his family's connection with the Vikas Foundation Trust, which is alleged to have purchased properties in the US. BJP leaders have dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign.
The Odisha vigilance department apprehended two government officers on Wednesday for accepting bribes in separate incidents. An Assistant Civil Supplies Officer in Keonjhar district was caught taking Rs 15,000, while a junior engineer with the National Health Mission in Sundargarh was caught taking Rs 5,000.
Severed legs of a man were discovered inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. Locals suspect a tiger attack, but forest officials are investigating the cause of death.
Opposition parties in Odisha, BJD and Congress, have criticised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accusing him of a surge in police brutality. The allegations stem from a custodial death in Ganjam district and other instances of alleged police misconduct. The BJP has defended the government, stating that prompt action has been taken in response to these cases.
Police in Odisha's Kendrapara district have launched an inquiry into allegations of custodial torture of a woman and her son by personnel of the Talachua Marine Police Station.
The CBI has arrested an Income Tax superintendent in Odisha, Ramesh Kumar Mohanty, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000 to delete a duplicate PAN card record. He was caught red-handed after a complaint was filed, and a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
An inspector in charge of a police station in Odisha's Cuttack district has been transferred following allegations that a man was tortured by police for refusing to identify a body as that of his missing wife.
The Odisha Vigilance Department has uncovered assets worth crores of rupees, including over Rs 2 crore in cash, multiple properties, and gold, during raids on an assistant executive engineer. The engineer, Baikuntha Nath Behera, is under investigation for disproportionate assets. Separately, a lineman was arrested for accepting a bribe.
A 73-year-old man in Odisha's Jajpur district attempted self-immolation during a public grievance hearing, citing unaddressed appeals for an approach road to his house.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested a detailed report from Odisha officials regarding the deaths of six people in a septic tank, raising concerns about human rights violations.
A man wanted in multiple criminal cases was injured in a shootout with police in Odisha's Jharsuguda district. The accused, Jay Chauhan, sustained a bullet injury during the encounter and is currently hospitalised. He was allegedly planning a major dacoity with his gang when police intervened.
The Odisha government felicitated para archer Payal Nag for winning two gold medals at the World Para Archery Series 2026 in Bangkok and qualifying for the Para Asian Games. She received a cash award and funds for sports equipment.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved national highway projects worth approximately 24,249.6 crore across Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, aiming to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and stimulate economic growth.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police has arrested another person from Bhubaneswar for his alleged involvement in a bank loan fraud case worth Rs 6.88 crore.
The Odisha Gymnastics Association secretary has apologised for using the late president's name on official letterheads, attributing it to an unintentional mistake after reports surfaced regarding invoices issued under the deceased president's name.
Odisha Police's Crime Branch has arrested three individuals from New Delhi and Uttarakhand in connection with two major cyber fraud cases totalling Rs 2.78 crore. The cases involved impersonation as cyber crime officers and fraudulent investment schemes, leading to significant financial losses for victims.
