Puri Gangrape Case: Three Detained, Hunt on for One More Accused

Puri: Three youths have been detained by police in connection with the alleged gangrape of a young woman at Baliharchandi beach in Puri district. The incident, which took place on Saturday, came to light after the survivor lodged a formal complaint on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Kalia Behera and Siba Sahu of Chandiput village, while a fourth accomplice remains absconding.

According to reports, the survivor, a Plus Three second-year student, had gone to Baliharchandi with her male friend. While they were sitting near a forested patch, four local youths confronted them, recorded videos, and threatened to make the clips viral. They extorted ₹2,000 from the woman’s friend and, after tying him to a tree, allegedly took turns raping the woman in front of him.

The couple managed to escape but was chased and attacked again before the assailants fled. Police later traced the survivor, who initially hesitated but eventually shared her ordeal and identified the accused. Her medical examination has been conducted as per legal procedures.

Police have registered a case under Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The mobile phones of the detained accused have been seized and will be sent to the State Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Bhubaneswar for analysis. Efforts are underway to apprehend the fourth accused.

The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of women at tourist destinations in Odisha. It has drawn grim comparisons with the Gopalpur case, where a 20-year-old student was gangraped by 10 persons in front of her male friend.