In response to the recent gang rape incident at Gopalpur Beach in Ganjam district, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has formed a five-member fact-finding team to investigate the matter and assess the broader issue of violence against women in the state.
The committee will be led by senior Congress leader and MP Deepa Dasmunshi. Other members include MPs Ranjeet Ranjan, Pranati Sinde, S. Jyothimani, and Shobha Ojha. The team has been tasked with visiting the site of the incident, engaging with local authorities and affected individuals, and compiling a detailed report for the party’s central leadership.
This move comes amid growing national outrage over the safety of women in Odisha, with rights activists and political groups demanding immediate justice and preventive action. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also reportedly intervened, urging the Director General of Police (DGP) to take strict action against the perpetrators.
The fact-finding team is expected to submit its report soon, which will contribute to the party’s stance and strategy on addressing crimes against women in the region.
On June 15, 2025, during the Raja Sankranti festivities at Gopalpur Beach, Odisha, a female college student was gang-raped by a group of 10 youths in a secluded area. The victim and her male friend were targeted around 8:30 PM when the assailants, who were riding motorcycles, attacked them. Five assailants restrained the male friend while three raped the woman. After threatening the victims, they released them around 10 PM.
The traumatised couple reported the incident to the Gopalpur Police Station by 11 PM. Police swiftly arrested all 10 suspects, including four minors. The accused have been identified as Pramod Nayak (23), Baburam Dalei (19), Laxman Pradhan (24), Om Pradhan (19), Deepak Tarai (19), Kunal Pradhan (24), and four 17-year-olds. A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the minors were sent to a juvenile home.
The incident has raised concerns about safety at Gopalpur Beach, prompting local residents and activists to demand stricter security measures and justice for the victim.
