Bhubaneswar: In a breakthrough in the Gopalpur gangrape case, the survivor has identified the accused during a Test Identification (TI) parade conducted by the Crime Branch at the Berhampur Central Jail.
According to sources, the survivor identified six adult suspects during a Test Identification parade conducted under the supervision of a magistrate. The identification process was witnessed by the survivor’s male companion, who was also an eyewitness to the incident.
However, the police have sought the court’s permission to include the four arrested minors in the TI parade, sources added.
Notably, a 20-year-old woman was allegedly gangraped by three of a 10-member gang on the beach in Gopalpur late Sunday evening. Concerned over the incident, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania has designated the case as a ‘Red Flag’ incident and transferred the investigation to the CID Crime Branch. Earlier, the Gopalpur police station had arrested the 10 accused, including four minors, in connection with the crime.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch team has been gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, including locals who rushed to the scene after hearing the victim’s cries for help.
The Crime Branch has seized seven mobile phones so far, with one additional phone seized on the third day of investigation. The team has also taken custody of the First Information Report (FIR) from the Gopalpur police station and registered a new case.
