A 25-year-old woman was allegedly gangraped by three men in Karanjia, Mayurbhanj district, on June 24. This marks the fifth such case in the state in just 10 days.
The survivor, a resident of Nuagan village in Bisoi block, was returning from a temple visit in Haladiaposhi when she was intercepted near a cashew forest by the accused. She was forcibly taken to a deserted eatery near Kuita petrol pump, where the assault took place. One perpetrator reportedly raped her, while another molested her and a third filmed the incident.
Following the ordeal, the survivor was abandoned near Karanjia College Chhak. She informed her family, who promptly filed a complaint with the Karanjia Police. Two of the accused—Bikash Kumar Patra (33) and Lokanath Mohanta (30)—have been arrested. The third, Bapi Patra, remains absconding.
Authorities have seized the motorcycle used in the abduction and confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused. The case has drawn sharp public reaction, especially in light of similar recent cases in Ganjam, Keonjhar, and Jajpur districts.
As the wave of gender-based violence intensifies, citizens and rights groups are demanding urgent policy-level intervention and heightened security measures for women across the state.
