Umerkote: Close on the heels of the alleged rape of a woman at gunpoint in her home in Bhubaneswar, another shocking incident has been reported from the state.
An 80-year-old woman was allegedly raped in a forest near Talanpada in Nabarangpur district’s Raighar block, police said on Thursday.
Briefing the media, Umerkote Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Subhendu Kumar Sabar said the elderly woman was returning home on foot after visiting her daughter’s house in a nearby village on Tuesday. The accused, identified as Pilaram Gouda (35), reportedly intercepted her on the way.
Taking advantage of the isolated area, Gouda allegedly dragged the woman to a nearby forest and sexually assaulted her. In the meantime, two local youths, who were passing through the area, heard the survivor’s cries of help. They rushed to the spot and reportedly caught the accused in the act. The youths overpowered Gouda, tied him to a tree and alerted villagers.
After receiving information, a police team led by Raighar IIC Tapan Sahu reached the spot and took the accused into custody. The woman was shifted to Raighar primary health centre for treatment.
As news of the heinous crime spread in the area, members of local women’s organisations staged a demonstration at Raighar police station, demanding strict action against the accused and justice for the elderly woman.
SDPO Sabar said a case was registered under relevant provisions of the BNS on basis of the complaint lodged by the survivor’s family. Medical examination of both the accused and the woman was conducted. He added that the accused was arrested and produced in a court on Wednesday.
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