Berhampur: The Odisha Police will request the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to order for trial of the four detainees aged 17 as adults, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said on Tuesday while briefing media on the alleged gangrape of an undergraduate student at Gopalpur sea beach.
“Among the 10 detained, four are juveniles. Since it is a heinous crime and they are all aged 17, we would request the JJB to treat them as adults,” he said.
The alleged gangrape took place on Sunday evening when the 20-year-old Plus III student and her male friend had gone to the sea beach at Gopalpur to celebrate Raja festival. They reached an isolated part of the beach behind Pantnivas at around 6.30 pm. A group of youngsters were also present at the beach, about 50 metres from where they were seated.
At around 8 pm, the group of 10 came from behind and overpowered them. They then took the woman around 50 feet away, where three among them took turns to rape her. “The other seven accused held the male friend captive and kept a watch on them,” the SP said.
Two hours later, they allowed them to leave but warned them against reporting the matter to police. “The survivor along with the male friend reached Gopalpur police station at around 11 pm. Immediately, the IIC along with his team rushed to the spot and detained seven persons for interrogation. Three more teams were later formed to trace the remaining accused,” he said.
A case was registered under 70(1)/296 / 351(3)/310(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The SP said that the six adults – Pramod Nayak (23), Baburam Dalai (19), Ramesh Dalei, Kunal Pradhan (24), Om Pradhan (19), Lakman Pradhan (24) and Deepak Tarai (19) – will be arrested. “Pramod Nayak, Baburam Dalai and Kunal Pradhan are the main accused who raped the woman. Medical examinations of all suspects have been conducted. The survivor’s condition is stable and we have recorded their statements,” he said.
He further stated that Deputy SP, Integrated Unit for Child and Woman (IUCAW) Akshaya K Panda is investigating the case and he is being assisted by Deputy SP Alma Lakra. “Scientific teams and senior officers have visited the spot and collected evidence. We will soon file the chargesheet and effort will be made to get maximum punishment for the accused persons,” he said.
He also confirmed that the accused extorted money from the victims. “We have one all-terrain vehicle and are expecting two more, which will help to intensify patrolling along the 8-km stretch beach. The dark spot will be illuminated using solar power,” he added.
Events Leading To The Crime
Investigation revealed that Pramod Nayak of Hiundata village under Purushottampur police limits, currently working in Bangalore in an electronics factory, had returned home on leave. He called his friends from Borupada village under Hinjili police limits for a trip to Gopalpur. Bauram and Lakman, cousins from Borupada village under Hinjili police limits, came in two motorcycles to Sikiri village. Om, Deepak Tarai and three juveniles of Sikiri village joined them. The eight rode to Pattapur village under Bellagam police limits in three motorcycles. Kunal and another juvenile joined them there. They then travelled to Gopalpur and reached the sea beach around 3.30 pm. They bathed in the sea and later came to the isolated spot around 6 pm. It was the same spot where the couple came around 6.30 pm.
Deputy CM Orders For Thorough Investigation
Reacting to the incident, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said that she has ordered a thorough investigation and directed the SP to take all necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. “I am deeply saddened by the incident of gang rape of a young woman at Gopalpur beach. So far, 10 people have been arrested. I have spoken to the SP regarding this incident and have ordered a thorough investigation and necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future,” Pravati posted on X.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and former CM Naveen Patnaik came down heavily on the government over rising case of crimes against women. Taking to X, he condemned the incident at a popular tourist destination like Gopalpur beach and demanded for better security measures at such places.