Expressing deep concern over women’s safety in the state capital, Odisha State Women’s Commission member Urmila Mahapatra visited the Nayapalli police station to review the progress of the high-profile gunpoint assault case involving a 26-year-old woman engineer.
The incident, which occurred in a residential area under the Nayapalli police limits, has sent shockwaves across Bhubaneswar. Despite 48 hours passing since the crime and 24 hours since the formal complaint was lodged, the perpetrator remains at large, triggering widespread public outrage.
During her visit, Smt. Mahapatra held an intensive discussion with local police officials, including Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Manas Kumar Sahu, to take stock of the ongoing investigation. Condemning the act as deeply deplorable, she emphasised that a woman feeling unsafe inside her own home in the heart of the city points to a serious security lapse. The Commission has directed the police administration to expedite the probe and ensure stringent legal action against the accused. Furthermore, the Commission has asked the Bhubaneswar DCP to submit a comprehensive report on the case within 15 days.
According to police sources, the harrowing incident took place on Wednesday evening when the victim, a software engineer residing alone in her rented apartment, was targeted. A masked intruder forced his way inside by brandishing a firearm, tied her hands and feet, destroyed her mobile phone, and subjected her to a brutal sexual assault.
Updating the Women’s Commission on the case, IIC Manas Kumar Sahu stated that the investigation is moving forward at a rapid pace. Police teams have gathered crucial clues from surrounding CCTV footage, revealing that the accused fled toward CRP Square by bus after the crime and subsequently stole a motorcycle to escape. Special police teams are conducting raids at various suspected hideouts, and authorities have expressed full confidence that the absconding criminal will be captured very soon.
