Another minor girl ‘raped and murdered’ in Odisha, body dumped in forest after crime

Palpable tension prevailed at Padmapur area in Bargarh district after body of a minor girl was found from an isolated place inside Dunguri forest on Friday. 

As the deceased minor girl’s body was found naked, it is suspected that she was murdered after sexual assault.

However, the exact reason behind the minor girl’s death is yet to be ascertained.

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On getting information, senior police officials along with forensic team reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter.

Dilip Behera, local sarpanch said, “After seeing the body of the 4 to 5 years girl, we suspect that she has been murdered after rape. The incident is unfortunate and it has sent shockwaves in the region.”

A detailed investigation has been launched by the police along with the forensic team. It is certainly a challenge for the cops as it is unclear as to who took the minor girl to the forest and killed her.

One person has been detained in this connection and further investigation is underway.

Only after a thorough probe, it can be ascertained whether the minor girl was subjected to sexual assault or not.

However, police officials are yet to comment on the matter.

It is pertinent to mention here that the incidents of rape continue to rise in the state. Taking congnizance of the crime and statewide outrage over crime against girls and women, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan recently assured of strictest punishment in women-related crimes.

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The Law Minister maintained that the BJP government has zero tolerance towards women-related crimes and is committed to make Odisha a crime-free state for women by 2036.

“Be it domestic violence, torture, rape, gang rape, our government has zero tolerance to women-related crimes and is committed to take stringent action against the perpetrators…,” the Law Minister further assured.