Balangir: All six accused, aged between 14 and 16, in the alleged gang rape of a Class IX girl were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and remanded to a juvenile rehabilitation centre in Odisha’s Balangir district on Wednesday.
According to sources, the incident took place on December 27, 2025, inside an under-construction house under Turekela police limits, where the group of boys allegedly sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl and recorded the act. They allegedly persuaded the girl to accompany them when she had gone to attend evening tuition classes at the government school where she studies. The mobile phone used to record and share the video has been seized by the police as key evidence.
“After a purported video of the incident went viral, the survivor’s family filed a complaint on Tuesday. We investigated the case with the help of the Child Welfare Committee and the District Child Protection Officer. Following which, the accused were detained and presented before the Juvenile Justice Board,” Balangir SP Abhilash G said.
He further noted that the mastermind will be treated as an adult during the trial of the case. “The seized mobile phone contains scientific evidence. A case has also been registered under the Information Technology (IT) Act,” he said, adding that statement of the girl was also recorded following her medical examination.
It is being alleged that the minors allegedly committed the crime after watching pornographic content. “Our police have investigated this incident properly. These minors were misguided and influenced by porn content on social media platforms. This appears to be the root of the crime,” said IG (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal.
He stressed the need for greater awareness among parents and society to check misuse of social media, adding that police would intensify efforts in this direction. They would try for a fast trial of the case, he stated.
