In a chilling incident in Odisha’s Puri district, a 19-year-old college student was allegedly gang-raped by two men in front of her boyfriend at Baliharchandi beach on Saturday. The couple was reportedly spending time near the Baliharchandi temple when a group of local youths began filming them without consent and tried to extort money in exchange for deleting the footage.

Assault, Extortion, and Brutality

According to police, the youths demanded money from the couple after secretly recording their moments. When the demand was refused, the situation escalated. The woman’s boyfriend was tied to a tree and assaulted, while two members of the group allegedly took turns raping the girl. Other group members assisted in restraining the boyfriend and fled after the assault.

Though the crime occurred on Saturday, the survivor filed a complaint only on Monday evening. Police said the delay was due to trauma and fear of social stigma. The Puri police, after identifying the survivor, encouraged her to file an FIR. Following this, three local men were arrested, and one more suspect remains at large.

Phones Seized, Forensic Probe Underway

The accused reportedly deleted the videos from their phones before being arrested. However, police have seized the devices and plan to send them to the State Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Bhubaneswar for data recovery. Officials are also verifying the criminal backgrounds of the accused. A case has been registered under Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

This incident is the latest in a disturbing trend across Odisha. Similar crimes have been reported in recent months, including a gang rape at Gopalpur beach in June, where 10 persons were arrested, and other cases in Bhubaneswar, Kandhamal, and Mayurbhanj involving minor and teenage girls. Authorities say they are taking strong action but urge victims to report crimes without fear.

Survivor Under Medical Care

The survivor has undergone a medical examination at the district headquarters hospital. Puri SP Prateek Singh assured that the investigation is being pursued with urgency, and further arrests are expected.

“On Monday, she lodged a complaint with Brahmagiri police and we immediately arrested the accused, When they refused to pay money, two persons in the group raped the female student,” Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh told PTI, quoting the survivor’s FIR lodged at Brahmagiri police station.

The case has once again highlighted the urgent need for safer public spaces and swift justice in cases of sexual violence.

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