Gopalpur gangrape: Crime Branch begins probe, patrolling teams deployed

The Crime Branch on Wednesday launched an investigation into the gangrape of a young girl at Gopalpur Beach, Berhampur. A team of officials visited the beach and launched a thorough probe into the gangrape case. The incident occurred when the survivor, along with her male friend, had been to Gopalpur Beach.

“The accused forcibly took the young girl (20-year-old) to a secluded place nearby and three adults of them raped her there by overpowering her male friend. The seven others helped the three in committing the crime,” informed Berhampur SP.

According to sources, all the accused are from Hinjilicut area. On Sunday, around 8:30 pm, they visited the Gopalpur beach and spotted the woman and her male friend sitting at a secluded spot. 

The group allegedly clicked photos of the duo and threatened to make them viral if they did not comply. Later, they forcibly took the girl to a darker place and took turns on her. While three of the accused gangraped the girl, others helped them make their obscene videos and beat up her male friend.

Read more details: Gang-rape of 2 minor girls in Ganjam; 4  youths arrested while trying to flee to Visakhapatnam.

At least 10 accused, including four minors, have been arrested in connection with the case. 

“This is a shame for Gopalpur. Such an incident had never ever happened in our place. Neither the victim is from Gopalpur nor the accused are from here. No such crime was ever reported from our place. But our place has earned a bad name now. This is an internationally known tourist destination, and this incident will severely affect the footfall of tourists now,” alleged a local.

Meanwhile, patrolling vehicles have been deployed on the beach to avoid any such incidents in the future. Police personnel are scheduled to keep a watch round the clock to safeguard the tourists coming from various places.