5 held in Cuttack gang-rape case

Bhubaneswar: Odisha police on Thursday arrested five persons for their alleged involvement in the rape of a woman in Cuttack district when she was out with her friend on a drive. The incident happened in the Nischintakoili police station area on Tuesday night.

The woman was out with her male friend and heading towards Kendrapada from Bhubaneswar. As the victim’s friend, who was driving the car, felt drowsy, they stopped the vehicle for a break near Sukarpada village on the Cuttack-Chandbali Road. At that time, a group of six men intercepted them, thrashed the friend and gang-raped the woman, a police officer said.

After committing the crime, the group fled the spot, leaving the two, he said. “Soon after receiving the complaint, we launched an investigation and arrested five accused persons. Another accused person remains absconded. Our efforts are on to nab him,” SP (Cuttack Rural) Vinit Agrawal told mediapersons.

A DSP-rank officer has been appointed as investigating officer in the case, and multiple teams are engaged in the investigation, he said. “We have recorded the statement of the victim and conducted a medical examination. The victim’s health condition is fine, and she is with her family,” the SP said.