Odisha: Ten Apprehended in Gang Rape of College Student at Gopalpur Beach
Berhampur: Amid the statewide outrage over the shocking gang rape of a 20-year-old college student at Gopalpur Beach, a popular tourist destination in Odisha, Berhampur Police on Tuesday held ten individuals, including four minors, in connection with the incident.
The incident occurred on Sunday night during the Raja festival when the victim, an undergraduate student, was at the beach with her boyfriend, a classmate.
The arrested individuals are Pramod Nayak (23) of Hiundata village, Purushothampur PS; Baburam Dalai (19) of Borupada village, Hinjili PS; Kunal Pradhan( 24) of Pattapur village, Belagam PS; Om Pradhan (19) of Sikiri village, Hinjili PS; Lakman Pradhan (24) of Borupada village, Hinjili PS and Deepak Tarai (19) of Sikiri village, Hinjili PS.
Four 17-year-old juveniles from Sikiri village, Hinjili PS were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
According to the victim’s complaint filed at Gopalpur police station, the group approached the couple at an isolated spot, restrained her boyfriend, and took turns assaulting her.
Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M stated that three of the accused raped the woman while the others stood guard. The suspects were arrested while attempting to flee the state.
A special police team has been formed to investigate, and authorities plan to request the court to try the minors as adults due to the severity of the crime. The survivor, who resides in a private mess with three other women, has undergone a medical examination.
Prayer will be given to the JJB to treat the juvenilles as Adults for the purpose of trial and this is a case of heinous offence, the Berhampur SP added.
The incident has sparked statewide outrage.
Leader of the Opposition and BJD President Naveen Patnaik termed the incident “deeply shocking”.
“The news of the gang rape at Gopalpur beach, a major tourist destination in Odisha, is deeply shocking and has left everyone shaken. It is strongly condemned. The safety of women in tourist destinations has been questioned,” he said.
“The government should be vigilant in preventing the increasing atrocities against women every day. The government should take strict steps to ensure the safety and security of women in the state,” he added.
Congress has also strongly condemned the incident.
Congress MLA Sofia Firdous said, “What happened to a 20-year-old college student at Gopalpur Beach is beyond horrifying. She was brutally gang-raped by 10 men — her male friend was tied up and left helpless. This isn’t just a crime; it’s a chilling reflection of the complete collapse of law and order in our state”.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the portfolio of Women and Child Development department said that strict action will be taken against the culprits involved in the heinous crime.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that she has directed the Berhampur Superintendent of Police to take all necessary steps so that such heinous incidents don’t occur again in future.
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