25-Year-Old Woman Gang Raped in Mayurbhanj; Two Held

Baripada: In yet another shocking incident of sexual violence in Odisha, a 25-year-old woman was allegedly gang raped by three men in Karanjia, Mayurbhanj district, while returning from a temple visit. The incident, which occurred on June 24, came to light a day later when the survivor’s family filed a police complaint.

This marks the fifth such reported case of sexual assault in the state within the last 10 days, raising serious concerns over women’s safety and triggering public outrage.

According to police, the woman from Nuagan village in Bisoi had visited her uncle’s house in Haladiaposhi. On the day of the incident, she went to the Hanuman temple in Nadhagadia and was on her way back when she was intercepted by three men near a cashew forest. The accused allegedly abducted her on a two-wheeler and took her to a deserted roadside restaurant near the Kuita petrol pump.

As per the complaint, one of the accused, Bikash Kumar Patra (33), raped the woman, while Lokanath Mohanta (30) molested her. The third accused, Bapi Patra, reportedly filmed the act. The perpetrators later abandoned the woman at Karanjia College Chhak and fled the scene.

After returning to her uncle’s home, the survivor narrated her ordeal to her family, following which they approached the police. Acting on the complaint, Karanjia Police arrested Bikash and Lokanath, both residents of Malharpada village. The duo has been produced in court, and police have seized the bike used in the crime. Efforts are underway to apprehend the third accused, Bapi Patra, who is currently absconding.

Confirming the incident, police stated that the primary accused committed the rape while the others aided the crime.

This incident comes close on the heels of multiple heinous assaults reported across Odisha, including the gang rape at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam, the alleged rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Keonjhar, and the molestation of two Delhi women in Jajpur. The recurring cases have sparked a wave of anger and calls for urgent action to ensure justice and protection for women in the state.