Six Arrested for Molesting Odisha Girl, After A video Went Viral

The police have arrested the six offenders who molested and harassed a girl and thrashed her male friend, on her way back from college in Odisha, after a video footage of the same went viral.

The shocking incident took place on October 4, when the college girl who was visiting a dam in Paikmal block with a male friend was molested by a group of young men, who also beat up her male friend.

The incident was recorded by one of the offenders, in a video footage that surfaced recently. The video went viral and was being widely circulated on social media.

The video showed a group of 10- 15 men with their faces covered with cloth, harassing the girl and thrashing her male friend, mercilessly. The girl is seen pleading to the men to leave them but they continue to bother her and beat up her friend, while one of them recorded the shameful act.

The FIR was lodged by the Odisha Police themselves after the video went viral and they started the investigations.Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Padampur, Laxmi Narayan Panda said the verification of the video and launching of a probe into the incident was ordered by Bargarh SP B Jugal Kishore.

Panda also added that the victims did not disclose the incident to anyone out of fear and shame.

Six of the accused were arrested on December 3 who have been identified as Hotasan Hati (24) of Khaira village under Paikmal Police limits and Ajit Barik (28), Jayaprakash Bhoi (31), Umakanta Bhoi (39), Hitesh Barik (18) and Nutan Barik (38) of Bhukuramunda village under Jagdalpur Police limits.

A case was registered under Sections 341, 354, 354(B), and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the accused, said the state DGP, RP Sharma. He also added that the accused have also been booked under Sections 66(A), 66(B) and 67 of the IT Act as the video has been posted on social media and has gone viral.

The SDPO added that ‘at least four more persons were involved in the incident. Further raids are going on and they will be arrested soon.’

(Pic Credit: Loksatta)

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Heena Manghani is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.