The gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Saheed Nagar has been classified as a “red flag” case, prompting the Commissionerate Police to hand over investigative oversight to the Crime Branch.
The probe will now proceed under the direct supervision of the Crime Branch Director General (DG), with the local police required to extend full cooperation.
According to details of the incident, the minor victim was lured from her hometown with false promises of a data entry job and brought to Bhubaneswar. There, two accused individuals subjected her to gang rape inside a rented accommodation in Sahidnagar. The assault occurred on the afternoon of December 18 around 2 PM. The victim managed to escape the scene over the following hours and lodged a formal complaint at the Sahidnagar Police Station on the night of December 19 at approximately 9:30 PM.
Following the FIR, the Commissionerate Police registered the case under Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – which pertains to gang rape – and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Swift action led to the arrest of the two prime accused, who were produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. A crime scene team, including forensic experts, conducted a thorough inspection and collected crucial evidence from the location.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena, overseeing the initial response, assured that the investigation would gain further momentum post the red flag designation. “The red flagging ensures high-level monitoring and expedited proceedings. We are committed to a thorough and time-bound probe to deliver justice,” Meena stated, emphasizing the involvement of specialized units.
This case comes amid a alarming surge in violence against women in Bhubaneswar, raising serious questions about law and order in the state capital. Just 10 days prior, on December 10, another minor girl was allegedly gang-raped near Dhauli Pathar, with her family reporting the incident to the local police station. Less than 15 days later, yet another woman fell victim to a similar assault in the city. Adding to the unease, on December 20 itself, reports emerged of a young woman being publicly molested by unidentified miscreants at IG Park, an incident that has spotlighted perceived lapses in police vigilance and patrolling.
As the Crime Branch steps in, all eyes are on how this collaborative effort unfolds to not only nab any remaining perpetrators but also address the root causes fueling such brazen crimes in urban Odisha.
