Odisha Police arrest five in Cuttack gang-rape case; one still at large
Synopsis
A woman travelling on the Cuttack-Chandabali highway was allegedly gang-raped by six men who smashed her car windows, tied up her boyfriend, and dragged her to an abandoned house. Five of the six accused have been arrested within days; the sixth is still being hunted. The case has intensified concerns about highway safety for women in Odisha.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Police arrested five persons on 14 August 2025 in connection with an alleged gang-rape in Cuttack district .
The incident occurred on Tuesday night near Sukarapada village on the Cuttack-Chandabali state highway .
The five arrested are Munib Khan (30) , Sk Riyasat Ahammad (25) , Md Ubuzar Gaffri (21) , Sk Salman Ali (19) , and Sajan Khan (27) .
A sixth accused remains at large; four police teams are conducting a manhunt.
A DSP-ranked officer has been assigned to lead the investigation, per SP Vineet Agarwal .
The victim was allegedly taken to an abandoned house two kilometres from the attack site.
Odisha Police on Thursday, 14 August 2025, arrested five persons in connection with an alleged gang-rape that took place on Tuesday night under the jurisdiction of Nischintakoili police station in Cuttack district. The victim, a woman employed at a mall in Bhubaneswar, was reportedly attacked while travelling with her boyfriend on the Cuttack-Chandabali state highway. A sixth accused remains at large, with police teams actively pursuing him.
What Happened That Night
According to police, the couple had paused near Sukarapada village on the highway — en route from Bhubaneswar to the victim's village in Kendrapara district — to rest before continuing their journey. Six accused persons allegedly surrounded their vehicle and demanded entry. When the couple refused, the accused reportedly smashed the car windows with an iron rod.
The attackers allegedly tied up the woman's boyfriend and assaulted him before forcibly removing the woman from the vehicle. She was then allegedly taken to an abandoned house approximately two kilometres from the spot, where the gang-rape reportedly occurred. The accused fled the scene, leaving the woman in a critical condition.
Arrests and Investigation
The five arrested have been identified as Munib Khan (30), Sk Riyasat Ahammad (25), Md Ubuzar Gaffri (21), Sk Salman Ali (19), and Sajan Khan (27). A case has been registered at Nischintakoili police station based on the victim's complaint.
Superintendent of Police, Cuttack (Rural), Vineet Agarwal confirmed that a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-ranked officer has been assigned to lead the investigation. Four dedicated police teams were constituted to track and apprehend the accused. 'Out of the six accused, we have already arrested five,' Agarwal said, adding that efforts to nab the remaining fugitive are ongoing.
Profile of the Accused
Local sources have claimed that several of the accused were allegedly involved in other serious criminal activities prior to this incident, though police have not officially confirmed those claims. Investigators are expected to probe any prior criminal records as part of the ongoing inquiry.
What Happens Next
Police have launched a parallel manhunt for the sixth accused, who remains on the run. Given that a senior DSP-level officer is heading the probe, authorities are expected to file a charge sheet within the statutory timeline. The case has drawn sharp attention to safety concerns for women travelling on state highways in Odisha, and is likely to face scrutiny from state-level women's rights bodies.
Point of View
Likely amplified by public pressure. But swift arrests are only the first step; conviction rates in gang-rape cases in India remain a persistent concern, and the charge sheet quality will matter more than the arrest count. The detail that the accused allegedly have prior criminal records, if verified, raises a harder question: whether local policing had intelligence on this group before the attack. Highway safety for women, particularly on rural state routes in Odisha, deserves a structural policy response beyond this case.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Odisha gang-rape incident take place?
The alleged gang-rape occurred near Sukarapada village under Nischintakoili police station limits in Cuttack district, on the Cuttack-Chandabali state highway. The victim was reportedly taken to an abandoned house about two kilometres from the site of the initial attack.
Who are the five persons arrested in the Cuttack gang-rape case?
The five arrested are Munib Khan (30), Sk Riyasat Ahammad (25), Md Ubuzar Gaffri (21), Sk Salman Ali (19), and Sajan Khan (27). A sixth accused remains at large and is being actively pursued by police.
Who is leading the investigation into the Odisha gang-rape case?
According to SP Vineet Agarwal, a senior officer of DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) rank has been entrusted with the investigation. Four dedicated police teams were also formed to apprehend the accused.
What was the victim doing when the attack occurred?
The victim, who works at a mall in Bhubaneswar, was travelling with her boyfriend to her village in Kendrapara district. They had stopped near Sukarapada village on the Cuttack-Chandabali highway to rest when the accused allegedly surrounded their vehicle.
What action is Odisha Police taking to arrest the sixth accused?
Police have launched a dedicated search operation for the sixth accused, who is still absconding. SP Vineet Agarwal confirmed that efforts are actively underway to trace and arrest the remaining suspect.
