Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Odisha Police placed he gangrape case of Dhauli area in Bhubaneswar under the Red flag category and asked the Crime Branch to supervise the investigation.
Sources said the probe into the sensational case would be conducted under the direct supervision of the Director General of Police, Crime Branch. Necessary assistance would be provided by the Crime Branch to the Commissionerate Police to ensure a focused, monitored and expeditious investigation into the sensitive case.
A senior official said the decision was taken in view of the sensitivity of the case, its social impact and the need for a fair and thorough probe.
A special team has been formed under the leadership of an officer of DSP rank. The team includes officers from the Crime Against Women Wing. The probe would be conducted in a coordinated way to ensure that it is completed in a time-bound manner.
Key aspects of the case, including medical reports, forensic and scientific team findings, and other evidence collected so far will be examined by the Crime Branch. Its team will assist in speeding up the investigation and ensuring early submission of the chargesheet.
It may be noted that the incident reportedly took place at around 8 pm on December 10 when the minor girl and her male friend were returning from Dhauli. A day later, she lodged a complaint with police alleging that two men snatched her gold chain, weighing 20 gram, near Lingipur canal road, and fled. The case was upgraded to gang-rape after the girl confided in her mother about being sexually assaulted and a fresh complaint was filed on December 13. Two of the three-to-four assailants, who intercepted them, allegedly gangraped her after tying her male friend, also aged 17, to a tree in an isolated area.
Police sources revealed that one of the accused has a criminal history, including charges of attempted murder and assault, and was recently released on bail. While two accused have been arrested so far, efforts are on to apprehend the rest.
