Berhampur: Odisha Police have arrested two youths and detained a minor boy in connection with the alleged gangrape of a minor girl from Andhra Pradesh.
The incident occurred on the night of March 29 in Berhampur, where the 17-year-old survivor was allegedly drugged before being sexually assaulted. The accused have been identified as Arjun Nayak (22) and Aditya Nayak (19), both residents of Dipa Sahi at Lanjipalli here.
According to sources, the girl from Andhra’s Kadappa district was living with her step father after the death of her father. She allegedly fled her home to escape physical and sexual harassment by her stepfather and boarded Prashanti Express on March 24. After arriving at Berhampur railway station, she wandered at platform no. 4 and subsequently got a job at a tea stall, where she befriended a local boy aged 15.
On March 29, the minor boy invited her to meet two of his friends. Initial investigations suggest that the girl and the boy were given spiked drinks containing a sedative, causing them to lose consciousness. Taking advantage of the situation, the two youths allegedly raped the minor girl.
Locals found the girl in a distressed condition the following morning and immediately informed police. Gosaninuagaon police recorded the survivor’s statement and initiated an investigation under relevant sections of the law, including provisions of the POCSO Act.
Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M confirmed the arrests, stating that the two adult associates of the girl’s companion have been taken into custody. The minor boy has been sent to a juvenile reformation home. Additionally, a separate case has been registered against the victim’s stepfather in Andhra Pradesh over the allegations of sexual abuse that prompted her to run away.
