Will the culprits of the Gopalpur gang-rape case face justice?

Bhubaneswar, June 17 (NationPress) The incident involving the gang-rape of a college student at Gopalpur sea beach has sent shockwaves throughout Odisha, prompting the state government to assure that decisive action will be taken against those responsible for this atrocious crime.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who oversees the Women and Child Development department, expressed her profound sadness and outrage regarding the incident. She has instructed the Berhampur Superintendent of Police to implement all necessary measures to prevent such appalling incidents in the future.

“I am truly distressed by the gang-rape of a young woman at Gopalpur beach. To date, 10 individuals have been arrested. I have communicated with the SP regarding this matter and have mandated a comprehensive investigation to ensure such events do not repeat,” Parida remarked on her X account.

Meanwhile, Suresh Pujari, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, has guaranteed that no perpetrator in the Gopalpur gang-rape case will evade justice, regardless of their power or status.

He emphasized, “Rest assured, the culprits will not escape accountability - their influence will not matter. The law will take its course.” Referring to recent events, he added, “Recently, an additional Tahsildar was attacked. Most of the suspects have been apprehended—some from Puri and another from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. Even if they attempt to flee Odisha, they cannot evade the law.”

Pujari further stated that the state government is dedicated to combating crime and maintaining law and order.

On the gang-rape incident, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Odisha's Minister of Commerce & Transport and local MLA, expressed profound sorrow. “The gang-rape occurrence in Gopalpur is exceedingly tragic and disheartening. It took place in my constituency, and such incidents must never transpire. I took the situation seriously, leading to prompt action by the police. The accused have already been detained, and we will ensure they face strict consequences to set a precedent and send a powerful message,” Jena asserted.

The Odisha Police have arrested six individuals and detained four minors for allegedly gang-raping a college student after restraining her boyfriend at Gopalpur sea beach in the Ganjam district. The incident transpired late on the evening of June 15, as reported by a police spokesperson on Tuesday. The case came to light on Monday following an FIR lodged at the Gopalpur Police Station based on the victim’s account.

Reports indicate that the victim, an undergraduate from a local college, had gone to the beach with her boyfriend on Sunday evening. Around 8 p.m., a group of 10 youths from the Hinjilcut area of Ganjam district approached them. Upon finding the couple alone in a secluded area, they began harassing them. The assailants allegedly blackmailed the victim and her boyfriend after capturing intimate photos of them. Subsequently, some of the attackers restrained the boyfriend while three of them forcibly took the victim to a nearby location and sexually assaulted her.