Has Odisha Congress Established a Fact-Finding Committee for the Mayurbhanj 'Gang Rape' Incident?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Congress has formed a fact-finding committee.
- The committee is investigating a reported gang rape incident.
- The victim was allegedly attacked in a moving van.
- Initial police findings suggest allegations may be false.
- The community is calling for justice and accountability.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 31 (NationPress) The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged gang rape incident that took place in the Bangiriposi region of Mayurbhanj district on Friday.
PCC President Bhakta Charan Das made the announcement regarding the committee's formation, appointing Sushila Tiriya as its Chairperson. Other members include Congress leaders Sushmita Ghosal, Sunita Nayak, and Brundabati Mahapatra.
Das has instructed the committee to initiate an inquiry into the allegations immediately and to provide a comprehensive report to the Pradesh Congress office at the earliest possible date.
In a shocking incident, a 21-year-old woman was reportedly gang-raped by five assailants in a passenger van on the Udala-Kaptipada road, under the jurisdiction of the Udala police station, on Friday evening.
The victim's complaint reveals that she was attacked inside the moving vehicle and was abandoned on the road after her pleas for help. She also mentioned that she had previously encountered some of the accused during a local fair in Bangiriposi earlier this year.
Reportedly, the perpetrators enticed the victim with promises of employment and lured her into their van. Following the victim's complaint, police quickly acted and detained three individuals.
However, investigative reports suggest that the police found the woman’s allegations to be potentially fabricated. It was uncovered that a conspiracy may have been devised by one of the accused, who was recently detained in a POCSO case, along with the woman, to wrongfully accuse the five men named in the complaint, as three of them serve as key witnesses in the POCSO matter.
Furthermore, the alleged victim admitted in court that she had made false accusations under the influence of others.