Bhubaneswar: Five people were arrested by the police on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the gangrape of a woman in Odisha’s Kataka district when she was out with her friend on a drive.
Efforts are underway to apprehend another accused, who is still on the run, police said.
The incident happened near Sukarpada village under the jurisdiction of Nischintakoili police station on Tuesday night.
The woman was out with her male friend and heading towards Kendrapada from Bhubaneswar. As the victim’s friend, who was driving the car, felt drowsy, they had stopped the vehicle for a break near a petrol outlet close to Sukarpada village on the Cuttack-Chandbali Road. At that time, a group of six men intercepted them, thrashed the friend and gang-raped the woman, a senior police officer said.
After committing the crime, the group fled the spot, leaving the two, he said.
“After receiving the complaint, we launched an investigation and arrested five accused persons. Another accused person remains absconded and efforts are on to nab him,” Superintendent of Police (Kataka Rural) Vinit Agrawal told reporters.
A DSP-rank officer has been appointed as investigating officer in the case, and multiple teams are engaged in the investigation.
Police have recorded the statement of the victim and conducted a medical examination. The victim’s health condition is fine, and she is with her family, the SP added.
