Bhubaneswar, Oct 18: A harrowing incident unfolded late Friday night in Bhubaneswar as a 17-year-old girl from Bihar was discovered on a roadside in Ashok Nagar, critically injured and writhing in pain. It is alleged that she was raped and brutally assaulted before being abandoned.

The teenager's plight was first noticed by local auto-rickshaw drivers, who found her groaning in agony and immediately alerted the Capital police and helped transport her to Capital Hospital for urgent medical attention. Initial bystanders had reportedly mistaken the girl for being mentally challenged.

Doctors at Capital Hospital confirmed that the girl had been sexually assaulted and admitted her to the ICU in a critical, traumatic condition. Though barely able to speak, she managed to inform the medical staff that she hailed from Bihar.

Hospital authorities immediately informed the Capital Police, who registered a case, including charges under the POCSO Act.

Police Commissioner S. Dev Datt Singh confirmed the incident, stating, "The victim's health condition is still critical. She is in the ICU. CCTV footage is being scanned in the area where the girl was found and efforts have been intensified to nab the perpetrators at the earliest. We are still verifying her identity."

A manhunt is underway for the accused, and police are actively working to contact the victim’s family in Bihar. As of the last report, no family members had yet come forward at the hospital or the police station.