Dhenkanal: In a major breakthrough, police have arrested four individuals, including the main accused, in connection with the brutal rape and murder of a 16-year-old Plus II first-year student from Kamakhyanagar Women’s College.
Dhenkanal Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar addressed a press conference at the Kamakhyanagar SDPO office, confirming the arrests and detailing the evidence recovered. The main accused has been identified as Gangadhar Patra alias Jaga, a resident of Saantarapur village under Kamakhyanagar police station limits.
The other three accused are Chandan Kumar Naik from San Indipur village (Kamakhyanagar PS), Madanmohan Patra from Saantarapur village, and Rasanand Naik from Kumusi village under Parjang police station.
The victim, a resident of Marthapur under Bhuban police limits, had gone missing after appearing for an examination at her college on March 19, 2026. Her mutilated, blood-soaked body was discovered the following day in the Saruali forest area near Kamakhyanagar, sparking widespread outrage and suspicions of sexual assault and murder.
During the investigation, police seized key evidence from the accused, including a car allegedly used in the crime, three mobile phones, victim’s blood-soaked stole and her college bag.
A case has been registered at Kamakhyanagar police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — specifically 137(2), 64(2)(L)/66/103(1)/55/238/3(5) — along with provisions under the POCSO Act (sections 06/21), given the minor status of the victim.
The arrested individuals have been forwarded to court. The press meet was attended by the Dhenkanal Additional SP, Kamakhyanagar SDPO, and other senior police officials from the station.
The SP said that the police launched an intensive investigation soon after receiving the information. Within 48 hours, all accused have been arrested. The post-mortem report is awaited and investigation is underway, he added.
