Puri Gang Rape: Probe Reveals Girls Were Being Trafficked Through Escort Service

Puri: In a major development, police today made shocking revelations following the arrest of a couple in connection with the alleged gang rape of a minor girl at a government quarters in Puri on December 2.

Reportedly, one Ranjit Parida and his wife were today arrested by the Kumbharapada police, taking the total number of arrestees in the case to six. During interrogation, Ranjit revealed that many girls have been trafficked through ads in social media and newspapers, in the name of Escort Service.

According to police sources, Ranjit was earlier arrested in 2018 in connection with a Child Immoral Trafficking case. He again started this illegal business after being released from jail.

The arrested couple mentioned that they were present at the government quarters during the horrific incident. Ranjit went on to say that prime accused Jitendra Sethi was one of his agents.

A few days ago, Jitendra, a former police constable who was dismissed from service in February after multiple charges of misconduct, allegedly offered lift to the minor girl from Nimapara area. Later, he along with three other persons took the girl to his government quarters near Jhadeswari Club where two of them allegedly gang raped.

While four teams have been formed to investigate the case, Puri SP Uma Shankar Das today reiterated that charge-sheet will be filed in 20 days from the time the incident was reported at the police station.

"So far, three persons have been court forwarded. Three other accused were arrested today. We will do whatever it takes to provide justice to the victim. And as assured earlier, the charge-sheet will be filed in 20 days," said Das.

It is pertinent to mention that a case under Sections 363, 376 (DA) & 394 IPC sections and Sec 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, (POCSO) has been registered in this connection.

Further investigation is underway.