Minor girl raped by relatives, 2 detained

Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by two of her distant relatives in Chandanpur area of Puri district on October 22. The heinous crime came to light after the minor victim lodged a complaint in this regard at Chandanpur police station on Friday.

“A 16-year-old girl on Friday lodged a complaint at the police station, alleging that her uncle and brother, both distant relatives from the same village, raped her while she, along with her seven-year-old sister, was sleeping at home during the wee hours on October 22. According to the complaint, the victim’s family had gone to watch the immersion procession of Goddess Kali idols,” a police official said.

The victim later revealed her ordeal to her mother after the family members returned home. Locals claimed that the family was initially reluctant to file the complaint due to pressure from the villagers. However, the victim, along with her mother, reached the police station on Friday and filed the complaint against the accused persons. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case and detained both the accused persons, both daily wagers, who were interrogated at the police station.

Meanwhile, the main Opposition Biju Janata Dal on Friday strongly condemned the heinous incident and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the Home department portfolio.

The party alleged in a press statement, “This shocking crime once again exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Odisha. Time and again, the BJD has reiterated that the law enforcement machinery in the State has failed miserably. The fear of law has disappeared, while criminals now operate with growing impunity.” The BJD also stated that in the last 16 months alone, over 5,000 women have been raped in Odisha, highlighting the deteriorating condition of women under the present BJP government in Odisha.

“The BJD expresses its deep anguish over this barbaric act and holds the State government responsible for the growing crimes against women. The politicisation of the police forcehas eroded public trust and emboldened criminals,” it said.