The number of arrests in the Dhauli gangrape case has risen to four, with police apprehending accused Sagar Jena from the Badagada area on Friday.
The Commissionerate Police’s Special Squad carried out the arrest based on credible intelligence.
Sagar had been absconding since December 10, the day of the incident, and was reportedly hiding outside the state in Telangana. He faces charges of assaulting the minor victim’s male friend near the Bankual riverbed, restraining him, and participating in the gangrape. Police also alleged that he filmed the crime.
Earlier, two accused were arrested soon after the incident, both of whom were identified as repeat offenders with prior jail terms. Later, police arrested the alleged mastermind, Joker Hapi. With Sagar’s arrest, four accused are now in custody, while one more suspect remains on the run. Police have intensified searches to nab the absconding accused.
The case drew widespread outrage after initial lapses in police handling. The victim and her male friend had first approached the Dhauli police station, but officers registered only a minor misconduct case and released them. Following public outcry, Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena transferred the station officer and assigned a new officer to lead the investigation.
A special team was formed under the Commissionerate Police, and the case was flagged for monitoring by the Crime Branch. Both the Child Commission and Women’s Commission visited Dhauli police station and the crime spot, reviewed the investigation, and met the victim for counselling.
