Daijiworld Media Network – Jagatsinghpur

Jagatsinghpur, Jul 25: In a shocking case of sexual violence, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and later nearly buried alive by two brothers in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district. The accused, identified as Bhagyadhar Das and Panchanan Das of Banashbara village, have been arrested, while a third suspect, identified as Tulu, remains absconding. Police have launched a manhunt to trace him.

According to police sources, the minor was raped multiple times over an extended period. When the accused discovered she was five months pregnant, they allegedly offered to arrange an abortion. They called the girl to a location, where she found a ditch had been dug. The accused then threatened to bury her alive if she refused to abort the pregnancy.

The girl managed to escape and informed her father, who lodged a complaint at the Kujang Police Station. She underwent a medical examination at the District Headquarters Hospital, and a case has been registered. The two arrested suspects have been produced before the court, and investigations are underway.

This incident is the second reported case of sexual assault involving minors in Jagatsinghpur district this week. On Tuesday, another minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by two men in a farmland area while returning from a birthday celebration. She was later found in a critical condition and rushed to the hospital.

In a similarly disturbing incident reported on Sunday from Malkangiri district, a minor girl who escaped after being gang-raped by three men was allegedly raped again by a truck driver she approached for help.

There has been a worrying rise in cases of sexual violence across Odisha. In the past month alone, at least 12 rape cases have been reported. In June, five rape and gang-rape cases were registered in just ten days.

Earlier this month, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore died after setting herself on fire, reportedly following the dismissal of her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member. In another case, a 15-year-old girl from Puri’s Nimapada block was set on fire by unidentified miscreants and had to be airlifted to AIIMS, New Delhi for advanced treatment.

The recurring incidents have raised serious concerns over the safety of women and minors in the state.