Odisha gangrape: In a shocking incident at Gopalpur beach near Berhampur city, a student was allegedly gangraped on Sunday evening after her male friend was tied up by a group of men. The Odisha Police on Monday detained seven individuals in connection with the crime and have launched an investigation.
According to police officials, the woman and her male friend, both college students from a nearby district, had visited an isolated stretch of the popular tourist beach. They were reportedly approached by a group of ten men who had also been present at the location. The men overpowered the woman’s male friend and dragged him away before tying him up.
“A group of 10 people, who were also sitting on the beach, approached the couple,” The Indian Express quoted a senior police officer as saying. He added that while some allegedly dragged the woman’s friend to a distance and tied him up, others took turns to rape her.”
The victim filed a complaint with the police on Monday, which was converted into an FIR. The police have filed a case under Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The section specially adresses the crime of gang rape under which the punishment is not less than 20 years which may be converted into life imprisonment.
A special team has been formed to investigate the case and bring people to justice. A team of police has already visited the crime scene. Medical examinations related to the case are scheduled for Tuesday.
“We are interrogating the accused persons. They will be arrested soon,” said Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M.
The victim and her friend are classmates, and the woman lives at a private mess in Berhampur. Gopalpur beach, located in Ganjam district, is one of Odisha’s most popular tourist destinations in Odisha.
Deeply saddened by the incident: Dy CM Pravati Parida
Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida said that she is deeply saddened by the incident and said that an investigation into the case has been launched.
“I am deeply saddened by the incident of gang rape of a young woman at Gopalpur beach. So far, 10 people have been arrested. I have spoken to the SP regarding this incident and have ordered a thorough investigation and necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future,” she wrote on X.