Khurda Rape Case: Arrestee’s Family Accuses Woman Of Staging The Act

Bhubaneswar: In a twist to the alleged rape of a woman in a moving car in Khurda, the family members of accused, Soumya Ranjan Mohanty, have filed a counter-allegation against the complainant.

They have alleged that the woman cooked up the rape story to escape repaying the money she had burrowed from the accused.

The arrestee is a native of Jatni in Khurda district.

Soumya’s wife said that her husband was innocent and questioned as to how a man can drive a car and rape at the same time.

“My husband knew this girl from last six months. She had borrowed Rs 2000 from my husband two months back following some problem in her house. She called him up and asked him to come to a particular place near Khurda or Jatni to take the money back. When he arrived at the spot, the woman told him that she did not any cash with her and asked him to take her to an ATM,” she said.

“Soon after getting into the car, she tore off her dress herself. My husband questioned her intentions and when he slowed down the vehicle, she jumped out of it,” she added.

Soumya’s father corroborated her version while speaking to reporters. Apprehending trouble, his son had fled from the spot and narrated the incident to his family members, he said.

The accused was detained while he was on his way to report the matter to police, he added.

Notably, the victim was found lying in a critical condition on NH-16 near PN College on Wednesday evening. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Khurda districts headquarters hospital.

Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo said the case was transferred to Khandagiri police station as the woman in her statement alleged the incident had occurred there.

He further informed that the medical examination of the woman was conducted in Khurda and the reports would help ascertain the truth.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Women, Minati Behera visited Khandagiri Police station and met the girl.

“Something has surely happened with her and we hope to get more information on it after the investigation,” she said.