Bhubaneswar: October 21:
On Tuesday, the Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) directed that the rape case involving a minor girl from Jharkhand in Bhubaneswar’s Laxmisagar area be classified as a Red Flag case to ensure priority investigation.
Official sources report that four female Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) from the Crime Against Women (CAW) unit are supporting the investigation. The CAW chief is supervising them closely.
In accordance with the DGP’s directive, a special independent team was formed, and the Crime Branch will formally register the case under the Red Flag category on Wednesday.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Commissionerate Police arrested four individuals, including the suspected mastermind, in connection with the rape and trafficking of the 17-year-old.
The case emerged late Friday night when the survivor, found bloodied, semi-conscious, and suffering multiple visible injuries, was brought to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Medical staff, observing trauma consistent with sexual assault, promptly notified the police.
During initial questioning, the minor, reportedly from Jharkhand, appeared disoriented and unable to respond coherently. Police then registered a formal case and conducted a raid in the Laxmisagar area, rescuing ten young women from a residential property.
Odisha Police will coordinate with Jharkhand Police throughout the investigation due to the interstate scope of the case.
