Three Arrested in Nayagarh for Alleged Gang Rape, Blackmail

Nayagarh: In a distressing incident that has sparked public outrage, police have arrested three young men for allegedly gang-raping a 21-year-old woman in front of her fiancé in a forested area in Odisha’s Nayagarh district.

The accused reportedly recorded the assault and later blackmailed the victim with the video, which was circulated on social media.

The assault occurred on October 20 but came to light when the woman filed a complaint with the Fategarh police on Friday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of Cuttack, had visited the Shri Ram Temple in Fategarh with her fiancé. On their way back, they were reportedly confronted near Pithakhai forest by three young men, who tied the woman’s fiancé to a tree. The assailants then allegedly took turns assaulting her while filming the attack. Following this, the woman alleged that the accused circulated the video and began blackmailing her.

Police have confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway. “The victim was returning from the temple with her fiancé when the accused confronted them. They threatened the fiancé with a knife, then assaulted the woman while recording the incident. A case has been registered, and a medical examination of the victim will be conducted,” police stated, adding that they would recreate the crime scene with the cused to gather further evider.

Nayagarh SP S. Susree confirmed that all three accused have been apprehended, and their mobile phones and the knife used in the crime have been seized. “Further investigation is ongoing,” she stated.