A gangrape survivor attempted suicide by consuming nearly 25 sedative tablets in Sundargarh district on Thursday night.
She is currently in critical condition and undergoing intensive care at a private hospital in Sambalpur.
The survivor, linked to a 2020 Biramitrapur police station case, had been living in a government-run shelter under district administration supervision. Reports indicate she swallowed the tablets when a caretaker briefly left her unattended. Shelter staff immediately alerted district authorities, and officials rushed her first to Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital. As her condition worsened, she was shifted to VIMSAR Burla, but due to a lack of ICU beds, she was later admitted to a private hospital in Sambalpur.
The case dates back to July 2020, when the minor was allegedly gangraped inside Biramitrapur police station. She later became pregnant, and allegations surfaced that officials arranged an illegal abortion to cover up the crime. Following public outrage, the police officer and a doctor involved were suspended, arrested, and one officer was dismissed from service. Just two days ago, the Crime Branch arrested another accused linked to the case.
The latest incident has sparked serious questions about shelter monitoring and safety protocols. Authorities are investigating how the survivor accessed such a large quantity of tablets. District Child Protection Officer Sribanta Jena confirmed she was under medical supervision and usually given one sedative daily.
