The incident was reported to police at 11 pm on Sunday after the survivor’s friend convinced her to go to the police station. According to a police officer, “The allegedly drunk perpetrators at first hurled obscenities, to which her friend objected. They then beat him up, gagged the woman and raped her.”
Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M stated, “We are raiding various locations to trace the remaining three suspects. Their criminal antecedents, if any, are still to be verified.”
The survivor has undergone a medical examination and is receiving counseling.
This incident marks the second reported gang rape in coastal Odisha within the past week. A similar incident allegedly occurred in Puri involving a Class IX student.
Police have arrested ten people, including four minors, in connection with the gang rape of a 20-year-old woman at Gopalpur beach in Odisha. “Initially, seven people were detained for interrogation. Later, all 10 accused were arrested,” a police officer told PTI. Police apprehended the accused as they attempted to flee to another state.SP Saravana Vivek M stated, “While three people raped the woman in turns, seven others were providing them protection.” He added that a special police team is investigating the case and that the court will be requested to try the minors as adults due to the severity of the crime.
Police confirmed she resides in a private mess with three other women.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida has spoken with the SP and ordered a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents.
The incident has sparked outrage across the state, a popular tourist destination.
Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik called the incident “deeply shocking”. He added, “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.”
Congress MLA Sofia Firdous expressed her dismay, stating, “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.” She further alleged government failure to protect citizens and demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators.
(Inputs from PTI)
