Sundargarh: A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped at Talsara village in Dharuadihi area of Odisha’s Sundargarh district, and police arrested all three accused within hours in a swift operation.
The accused, all residents of Talsara village and aged between 23 and 25 years, were nabbed at around 9.30 pm on Tuesday, barely two-and-a-half hours after the girl’s mother lodged a complaint, police said on Wednesday.
According to police, the incident took place on Tuesday at around 3.30 pm when the girl was returning home after a bath in a nearby river. The three men allegedly waylaid the minor, dragged her to a secluded place, and gangraped her.
After the assault, the girl lost consciousness and later returned home in critical condition. The victim narrated the ordeal to her family, after which she and her mother visited Dharuadihi Police Station around 7 pm to lodge the complaint.
Sundargarh Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur immediately swung into action. She personally met the survivor, visited the crime scene, and formed multiple teams to nab the accused.
Under the supervision of the SDPO, teams from Dharuadihi and neighbouring police stations launched a coordinated search and arrested all three accused by 9:30 pm. The FIR (Case No. 125) was formally registered by 11:36 pm the same night.
The accused have been taken into custody and are being interrogated. Police said they are collecting forensic evidence and other corroborative material to strengthen the case. The victim has been provided medical treatment and psychological counselling.
As per Section 23 of the POCSO Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the identity of the minor victim is being withheld. Police have appealed to the public and media to refrain from publishing any details that could reveal her identity.
The District Police reiterated their firm commitment to the safety of women and children and to ensuring swift action and justice in such cases.
