Sundargarh: A gang rape survivor from Sundargarh district, who had been staying in a shelter home under official protection, allegedly attempted suicide by consuming a large quantity of sedative tablets and is currently undergoing treatment in critical condition at a private hospital in Sambalpur.
According to official sources, the survivor—linked to a 2020 gang rape case under Birmitrapur police limits—was initially admitted to VIMSAR, Burla after her condition deteriorated late Friday night. She was later shifted to another facility but had to be moved again due to the unavailability of an ICU bed. She is now under intensive care at a private hospital in Sambalpur city.
The Crime Branch had earlier directed the Sundargarh district administration to keep the survivor in a safe environment until the sensitive case reaches its conclusion. She had since been residing in an ashram (shelter home) under supervision.
Officials said the survivor had been under medical care and was being administered one sedative tablet daily as per a doctor’s prescription, owing to her unstable physical and mental health condition. However, on Friday night, she allegedly consumed around 25 sedative tablets at once.
Preliminary information suggests that the incident occurred when the caretaker of the ashram briefly stepped away to fetch water before administering the prescribed dose, during which time the survivor accessed and consumed the tablets.
The incident has raised serious concerns over supervision and safety protocols at the shelter home, particularly regarding access to medication and monitoring of vulnerable residents.
District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Sribanta Jena said that the administration responded promptly after being alerted by the ashram authorities and ensured immediate medical attention for the survivor.
The survivor was sexually assaulted in July 2020 in a case that had triggered widespread outrage. The crime reportedly took place in an upper room within the Birmitrapur police station premises. The survivor later became pregnant, and an abortion was allegedly arranged through collusion between then Inspector-in-Charge Anand Majhi and a doctor at the Birmitrapur Community Health Centre.
Following the exposure of the case, Majhi was suspended and subsequently dismissed from service, while the doctor concerned was also placed under suspension.
Further investigation into the latest incident and possible lapses at the shelter home is expected.
