Archive · 24 Sep 2026
BJD Seeks Odisha Chief Minister’s Resignation Over Kapilash Harassment
A young couple visiting Kapilash Temple said they were harassed by several men.
A video showing part of the incident spread on social media.
Police arrested three men after the woman complained.
Officers also registered a case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The incident happened on September 18 in Dhenkanal district, Odisha.
The Biju Janata Dal, which is in opposition, blamed the state government for women’s safety.
It asked Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to resign.
The party also sent a team to learn more about what happened.
The BJD demanded Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s resignation over alleged harassment of a young couple near Kapilash Temple.
Police arrested three middle-aged men after the woman filed a complaint and a video of the incident circulated online.
The alleged incident occurred on September 18 on an isolated road leading to the temple in Dhenkanal district.
The viral video appeared to show men stopping the couple’s motorcycle, assaulting the man and harassing the woman.
BJD president Naveen Patnaik formed a 10-member team to investigate the incident and meet the Dhenkanal superintendent of police.
- Who
- A young tourist couple, three arrested men, the Odisha Police and the opposition Biju Janata Dal are involved.
- What
- The BJD sought Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s resignation over alleged harassment and assault of the couple.
- When
- The alleged incident took place on September 18; the BJD demand and report were issued on September 23.
- Where
- On an isolated road leading to Kapilash Temple in the Kapilash hills, Dhenkanal district, Odisha.
- Why
- The BJD said the chief minister, who also oversees the Home Department, should accept moral responsibility for alleged crimes against women.
- Incident date
- September 18
- Location
- Kapilash hills, near Kapilash Temple, Dhenkanal district, Odisha
- Arrests
- Three middle-aged men were arrested
- Police case
- The case includes allegations of sexual harassment, an obscene act or song, and voluntarily causing hurt under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Political demand
- The BJD called for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s resignation
- Fact-finding team
- Naveen Patnaik formed a 10-member BJD team, including MLAs Manorama Mohanty and Sujata Sahu
- Video status
- PTI said it could not independently verify the viral video’s authenticity