Kataka: A woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a group of miscreants in Odisha’s Kataka district when she was out with a male friend on a drive.
According to police, the incident took place near a petrol outlet close to Sukarpada village under the jurisdiction of Nischintakoili police station late on Tuesday night.
The incident happened when the woman was out with her male friend, and proceeding in a car towards Kendrapada from Bhubaneswar.
The two had stopped near Sukarpada village on the Kataka-Chandbali Road when a group of four to six men intercepted them. The suspects thrashed the friend, and gangraped the woman, Superintendent of Police (Kataka – Rural) Vinit Agrawal was quoted by PTI as saying.
After committing the crime, the group fled the spot, leaving the two at the spot, he said.
Based on the complaint lodged by the survivor, a case has been registered and investigation is in progress.
While a DSP-rank officer has been appointed as investigating officer, multiple teams have been formed to nab the accused persons.
Meanwhile, police have so far reported to have arrested two persons in connection with the incident. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.
Forensic experts are currently scanning the crime scene for physical evidence, while law enforcement agencies have launched targeted manhunts across neighboring regions to trace the fleeing suspects. The victim is in stable condition and is receiving medical care and counseling.
