The Junagarh police in Kalahandi district launched a probe into an incident of gangrape of a girl, the video of which went viral on Monday.
The incident was said to have taken place in the Jaring forest near National Highway-26 between Junagarh and Bhawanipatna.
Reportedly, the girl was returning from Bhawanipatna by a bike with a male friend on September 14 when four miscreants intercepted them and raped her.
Police have detained the girl’s male friend for questioning after the family members of the victim lodged a complaint about the incident.
Reports said that the miscreants, who had covered their faces, threatened the girl and her male friend with sharp weapons and dragged them to the Jaring forest and raped the girl.
Police said they have some clues and the accused would be nabbed soon.
Sources said that Odisha Commission for Women Chairperson Minati Behera would visit the spot on Tuesday to take stock of the situation. She has directed the police to take appropriate steps to stop circulation of that viral video.
In reaction, Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra said, “I have spoken to the district SP and the ADG of Crime Branch about the incident. I have asked the district administration to submit a report on this.”
Samajwadi Party State president Rabi Behera has written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and immediately arrest all the culprits involved in incident. Behera also demanded to mark the case under Red Flag category and pay compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victim’s family.
