Bhubaneswar, June 17: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged gang-rape of a 20-year-old woman at Gopalpur beach in Odisha, terming the incident "shocking" and urging immediate and stringent action from the state police.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar expressed grave concern over the incident and wrote to the Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha, demanding the arrest of all remaining accused and submission of an Action Taken Report (ATR) within three days.
The victim, an undergraduate student from a private college, had visited Gopalpur beach with a classmate on the occasion of the Raja festival on Sunday night when the incident reportedly occurred.
Acting swiftly, the Odisha police apprehended 10 suspects, including four minors, on Tuesday. According to officials, the accused were caught while attempting to flee to another state.
Calling for a time-bound investigation, the NCW chairperson also emphasized the need for comprehensive support for the survivor. "The victim must receive free medical and psychological care," the Commission stated, urging authorities to ensure compensation under Section 396 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which provides for financial assistance to crime victims.
