Odisha: 19-Year-Old Student Gang-Raped at Puri Beach, Three Arrested
Victim’s male companion restrained, forensic teams collect evidence as police hunt for other culprits
Puri, Sep 16: A 19-year-old college student was allegedly gang-raped at Baliharichandi beach in Puri district, Odisha, after her male companion was tied up to prevent interference, police said. The incident occurred on Saturday, and the survivor lodged her complaint on Monday, despite being deeply traumatised.
The Puri Police have arrested three accused, who reportedly recorded videos and clicked pictures during the assault. Searches are ongoing to apprehend other perpetrators. Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh confirmed that both the victim and accused have undergone medical examinations, while forensic teams are collecting evidence from the crime scene.
Mobile phones used by the accused to record the attack were seized and sent to the State Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Bhubaneswar for analysis and data retrieval.
The case comes shortly after a similar incident in June at Gopalpur beach, Ganjam district, where a 20-year-old female student was gang-raped in front of her male companion. The recent incident has reignited concerns over rising crimes against women and minors in the state, drawing criticism from opposition parties toward the ruling BJP government.
Authorities have urged the public to come forward with information that could help trace other accused involved in the crime.
