Class 10 Girl Gangraped in Odisha; 5 Accused Held

The minor girl was reportedly assaulted while visiting her aunt’s residence in Rajanagar. According to the complaint, her drink was spiked, rendering her vulnerable to the attack. The local Rajnagar police have detained five individuals, including the victim’s aunt, for questioning. The Rajnagar Police Station’s inspector-in-charge declined to share further details, stating that the investigation is ongoing.

This case follows another shocking incident reported on Raksha Bandhan in Balasore district, where a 26-year-old man was arrested for allegedly abducting and raping a Class 9 girl. The assault occurred on Sunday afternoon as the girl was cycling home from tuition. The accused, a resident of Antara village, allegedly forcibly took her to an isolated area near the Barada Ranital canal in Simulia and raped her. Responding promptly, police arrested the perpetrator and ensured the victim received medical attention at Simulia hospital before her transfer to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital, where her condition was reported as stable.

In a separate incident in Mayurbhanj’s Udala, a minor girl on August 9 narrowly escaped a gang-rape attempt on the same day. Three young men allegedly targeted her in a forest, but the girl fought back, striking and kicking her attackers to escape. She promptly informed her parents and filed a complaint with the local police, who arrested the three accused and detained two minor boys suspected of involvement.

These back-to-back incidents have cast a grim shadow over Odisha, raising urgent questions about the safety of women and girls in the state. Authorities are under pressure to deliver justice and implement measures to prevent such atrocities in the future.