Odisha Police arrest five in gang‑rape case

Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 (AHN) Odisha Police on Thursday arrested five persons in connection with a gang‑rape case that occurred under the jurisdiction of Nischintakoili police station in Kataka district of the state on Tuesday night.

Speaking to media persons, Superintendent of Police, Kataka (Rural), Vineet Agarwal said that, in connection with the incident, a case has been registered at Nischintakoili police station based on the victim's report.

He added, “A senior officer in the rank of DSP (Deputy SP) has been entrusted with the investigation into the case. Four police teams were also formed to apprehend the accused persons. Out of the six accused, we have already arrested five.”

The accused persons were identified as Munib Khan (30), Sk Riyasat Ahammad (25), Md Ubuzar Gaffri (21), Sk Salman Ali (19) and Sajan Khan (27). He further stated that efforts are underway to arrest the other absconding accused involved in the heinous crime.

Agarwal further stated that police have launched a search to arrest the other accused who is still on the run.

According to reports, on Tuesday night, the woman, who works at a mall in Bhubaneswar, was travelling with her boyfriend, a native of Nayagarh district, to her village in Kendrapara district. Midway through the journey on the Kataka‑Chandabali state highway, they halted near Sukarapada village under the jurisdiction of Nischintakoili police station to get some rest before resuming their journey.

Meanwhile, six accused persons allegedly surrounded the vehicle and threatened them, demanding that they open the doors.

When they refused, the accused allegedly smashed the car windows with an iron rod. They then tied up the woman’s boyfriend and assaulted him before forcibly dragging the woman out of the vehicle.

The accused allegedly took the woman to an abandoned house around two kilometres from the spot, where they allegedly gang‑raped her and left her in a critical condition before fleeing.

Local sources claimed the accused have also been involved in several other serious criminal activities.