Sambalpur: Police have detained four persons in connection with the alleged gang rape of a married woman here.
The four, including the prime suspect, were held on Sunday, a day after the incident on Saturday.
According to sources, the woman had reportedly gone to Bareipali area for some work on Saturday evening when two men approached her and assured to drop her home. The duo then took her to an isolated place near the national highway and alleged raped her. Later, two others joined them and also raped the woman.
The victim was found unconscious near Bareipali on Sunday morning. She was taken to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla in a critical condition.
Police have taken suo motu cognizance of the case and started an investigation. SP (Sambalpur) Kanwar Vishal Singh along with a police team visited the hospital and met the woman.
The SP said a woman DSP rank officer is investigating the case and the charge-sheet will be filed in 20 days,
Meanwhile, questions are being raised over security measures and police patrolling in the town as the incident took place barely a few metres from the national highway.