Sixth accused nabbed in Odisha

BERHAMPUR: The total number of arrests in connection with the gang rape that took place within Baidyanathpur police limits in Berhampur town reached six with the arrest of another accused on Friday. The accused has been identified as Omkar Jena (21) of Bhutasarasing village in Purusottampur police district. He was staying in Berhampur pursuing the D-Pharm course but had fled the place the same night.

The girl, a Class However, when the girl reached the house, she realized that it was a bachelor mess. She was offered a soft drink laced with sedatives and after she lost consciousness, five to six youths allegedly took turns sexually assaulting her, the SP said.

On Wednesday, Baidanathpur police had arrested five youths for allegedly gang-raping a Class XII student after plying her with alcohol. SP Sarthak Sarangi said the incident took place on May 3, but the parents of the rape survivor lodged a police complaint on May 5. Police identified the five accused who hailed from different places in Ganjam. All five are students aged 19 to 26 – two engineering students, as many BCA students and one pharmacy student.

On Thursday, the Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha staged a sit-in outside the SP office and alleged that the police had released some political party leaders involved in the incident. They called off the agitation after the SP assured that strict action would be taken against those involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, police concluded that Omkar, who was in the mess, had fled since the fateful night. Police searched for him and located him in Bargarh district by tracking his mobile team. On Friday, a team of Baidyanathpur police reached Bargarh and with the help of local police arrested Omkar from Luhurachati under Sohela police control. He was taken to Berhampur and handed over to the court on Saturday. Police said further investigations were underway and it was likely that more people would be arrested in connection with the gang rape.