Bhubaneswar: Shri Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Deputy Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, has proposed the formulation of a new legislation, the “Odisha Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act,” to effectively curb organized crime and anti-social activities in the state. The proposal, dated July 24, 2025, is on the lines of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act.
In a decisive move to curb the escalating menace of organized crime in Odisha, Deputy Speaker Shri Bhabani Shankar Bhoi has submitted a formal proposal to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi for the enactment of a powerful new law: the “Odisha Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.”
The proposed legislation, drawing inspiration from the successful Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act, aims to arm #Odisha’s law enforcement with a robust legal framework to dismantle criminal syndicates plaguing the state.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the alarming rise in organized crime in Odisha, noting a significant increase in incidents of land grabbing, extortion, contract killing, illegal mining, narcotics trafficking, and coordinated criminal syndicates. He emphasized that these groups often exploit existing legal loopholes and procedural delays, operating beyond the reach of current frameworks.
Shri Bhoi stressed the urgent need for a robust legal framework to address this growing threat and ensure public safety. He advocated for special legislation similar to the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, but specifically tailored to Odisha’s unique law and order realities. The proposed act aims to provide stronger tools to law enforcement agencies to tackle complex criminal operations that have evolved in both complexity and scale across various regions of Odisha.
The proposal underscores a strong commitment from a representative of the people to enhance public safety and bring a more effective approach to combating organized crime in the state. Further details on the proposed legislation are anticipated.