The high-profile rape case in Bhubaneswar has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of Udit Pradhan, the state president of the Student Congress, and his associate Ayushman Sahu by the Mancheswar Police.
Initially charged with rape, the case was reclassified as gang rape following the victim’s statement, which implicated both individuals in the assault that allegedly occurred on March 18, 2025, at a hotel in the capital.
The 19-year-old victim, a student, alleged that she was given an intoxicating drink before being assaulted by Udit and Ayushman in a hotel room. The Mancheswar Police, acting on her recorded statement on Monday, amended the charges from Section 64(1) (rape) to Section 70(1) (gang rape) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with additional sections (123, 296, 74, 351(2)). Udit was arrested on Sunday, while Ayushman was apprehended late Monday night from Dhenkanal, medically examined, and presented in court.
The investigation has intensified, with police probing the events at the hotel. However, the lack of CCTV footage, due to the incident occurring over three months ago, has limited evidence to four hotel registers. Adding to the controversy, Ayushman had posted a video on social media before his arrest, claiming Udit’s innocence and alleging that the victim framed him.
The case has gained further attention with a viral audio clip of the victim’s friend, who is now reportedly under police scrutiny, raising speculation of additional arrests.
The incident has sparked political outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slamming the Congress for its “double standards” on women’s safety, citing Udit’s alleged involvement in prior criminal cases.
As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to draw public and political attention, with potential implications for the state’s political landscape.
