New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday sought an action report from the Odisha government within three days in connection with the alleged gangrape of a 20-year-old undergraduate student at Gopalpur sea beach.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also wrote to Odisha DGP Y B Khurania, urging him to ensure immediate arrest of the remaining accused.
The commission has also called for a swift and time-bound investigation, free medical and psychological support for the survivor. It has also directed the state Government to ensure appropriate compensation under Section 396 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) Act.
The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance of the shocking gang-rape of a 20-year-old student at Gopalpur beach, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/LYS41KMUmq
— NCW (@NCWIndia) June 17, 2025
Odisha Police have already arrested six persons and detained four juveniles involved in the incident which took place at the popular tourist destination on Sunday evening. Three among those arrested allegedly gang-raped the woman while others held her male friend captive and kept a watch. They also extorted money from the duo and warned them against reporting the matter to police.
The Plus III student from a college in Berhampur and her male friend lodged a complaint at Gopalpur police station at around 11 pm the same day, following which a case was registered under 70(1)/296 / 351(3)/310(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and IIC and his team rushed to the crime spot and detained seven persons for questioning. Later, three more police teams were formed to trace the remaining accused.
Speaking to the media, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said that they would request the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to order for trial of the four detainees aged 17 as adults since it is a heinous crime.
Also Read: Gangrape During Beach Outing In Odisha: Police To Request JJB To Try 4 Juveniles As Adults
The arrested have been identified as Pramod Nayak, Baburam Dalai, Kunal Pradhan, Om Pradhan, Lakman Pradhan, and Deepak Tarai. The four detained juveniles are from the Hinjili area.
Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that exemplary action will be taken against the perpetrators. He asserted that no culprit involved in this incident will be spared, and his government will ensure the strictest punishment permissible under the law for them.
He further stated that all accused in the case have been arrested. Others, directly or indirectly involved in the incident, will be apprehended and strict action will be taken against them as per the law, he added.
