Odisha Crime Branch files 574-page chargesheet in Gopalpur gangrape case

Odisha Crime Branch on Monday submitted a 574-page chargesheet in the Gopalpur gangrape case, which had shaken the State last month. Ten accused were earlier arrested, and the case was later flagged as sensitive and transferred to the Crime Branch for probe.

Also Read: Gangrape at Gopalpur Beach: 3 raped the victim; 4 minors among 10 accused, says Berhampur SP

According to sources, in a major development in the Gopalpur gangrape case, the anti-crime agency has submitted a comprehensive 574-page chargesheet to the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM)’s office. The case, which involved the heinous gangrape of a young woman in the beach area on June 14 in Ganjam district, had sparked statewide outrage and was soon flagged as a high-sensitivity case.

Following the incident, ten people were arrested by local police. Given the seriousness and public sensitivity of the crime, the case was later handed over to Cthe rime Branch for detailed investigation. The case was placed under the Red category.

The chargesheet includes victim and witness statements, forensic evidence, digital records, and detailed accounts of the events leading up to and following the incident. The document is expected to play a key role in ensuring speedy justice.

The Crime Branch’s swift action and thorough investigation have been acknowledged, but civil society and women’s groups continue to call for strict and timely punishment for the culprits to set a deterrent precedent.

No comments were received from Crime Branch officials in this regard.

Worth mentioning, in a press conference on June 17, the SP-Berhampur Saravana Vivek M had stated, “Among the ten accused persons, three individuals are believed to have committed the gangrape.”

Adding complexity to the proceedings is the fact that four of the accused are minors. This situation presents significant legal challenges and reflections on the societal implications concerning juvenile involvement in such severe offences, the SP had remarked.

“Ten accused persons forcibly took a young woman (20 years old) to a secluded place nearby, and three of them raped her there by overpowering her male friend. The seven others helped the three in committing the crime,” Berhampur SP had expressed.

“The rape survivor was released by the accused at around 10.00 PM at night, and she lodged an FIR with Gopalpur Police at around 11.00 PM. Swinging into action, the police IIC and his team reached the spot and detained seven suspects for interrogation,” the SP had said.

A case of both sexual offense and extortion!

“It seems to be a case of both sexual offense and extortion. Pramod Nayak from a village under Purushottampur police limits is the key accused in this case. Two others are Baburam Dalai, who hails from Burupada under Hinjili police limits, and Kunal Pradhan, who hails from a village under Pattapur-Belagarh police limits,” the SP had further said.

The accused had extorted money from the woman in cash and also through a UPI transaction. Police are probing to ascertain the motive behind the crime, the SP had added.