Minor girl ‘molested’ on Puri Grand Road, accused nabbed while trying to escape

In a disturbing incident on Puri’s bustling Bada Danda (Grand Road), a minor girl from West Bengal was allegedly molested by a youth on Monday. The deeply troubling episode unfolded when a minor girl from the neighbouring state was on a visit to the holy city with her family.

Onlookers were taken aback by what happened to the minor girl. Before the accused could escape, locals present at the spot managed to nab him with the help of an alert on-duty home guard. The accused was beaten black and blue before being taken to the Singhadwara Police Station.

The accused reportedly hails from Bhubaneswar, a preliminary probe revealed. He has been identified as Ranjit Samantaray. The incident, despite the installation of several CCTV cameras on the Bada Danda, has raised serious concerns.

Arrest and Investigation

Authorities have since launched a thorough investigation into the incident under the leadership of City DSP and Singhadwara IIC. 

The accused is in police custody and is being interrogated to ascertain the details surrounding the events. Police have emphasised the seriousness of the allegations, reaffirming their commitment to resolving the matter with due diligence, said sources.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked discussions regarding the safety of minors and the measures necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.