College Student Abducted and Gang-Raped in Odisha: Investigation Ongoing

Police are continuing their investigation to locate the vehicle used in the alleged kidnapping (Representational)

Odisha:

A female student was reportedly abducted and subsequently gang-raped by her acquaintance and four others while en route to her educational institution in Odisha, according to officials.

In her statement to authorities, the victim recounted being forcibly taken in a vehicle near Khurda New Bus Stand on November 18. She was rendered unconscious with a chemical-soaked handkerchief before being sexually assaulted by multiple perpetrators.

The assailants later abandoned the victim at Khurda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) two days following the attack. She was subsequently transferred to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar on November 21 when her health deteriorated.

Investigative sources reveal that authorities are questioning the DHH security personnel, as the victim reportedly communicated with him via telephone on the day of the incident.

Police believe one of the accused, who had established contact with the victim through social media platforms, may have orchestrated the crime. This individual, identified as the victim's friend, is currently under interrogation.

Authorities have yet to identify and recover the vehicle utilized in the abduction, officials confirmed.

Law enforcement has detained several individuals connected to the case for questioning as the investigation proceeds.

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed strong condemnation regarding recent incidents affecting women's safety in the region. In a social media statement, he emphasized that such occurrences highlight the government's failure to ensure adequate protection for women.

Patnaik also referenced a separate incident in Bhadrak where a young woman was publicly assaulted by self-help group members following her mother's death, which had left her unable to fulfill financial obligations. He characterized this behavior as entirely unacceptable in civilized society.

With Inputs From Dev Kumar