Malkangiri: In a shocking incident, a minor girl from Malkangiri district was allegedly gang-raped by three men and subsequently raped by a truck driver, on Monday.
All four accused were arrested within six hours of the complaint being lodged.
The arrested persons have been identified as Manoj Harijan (30), Rohit Kumar Hial (24), and Bira Bhartia (26)—all residents of Malkangiri town—and Shubham Singh (26), a truck driver from Madhya Pradesh.
“Two cases were registered at Malkangiri Town Police Station—360/25 and 364/25. All four accused were arrested within six hours of swift police action. A professional and time-bound investigation is in progress. Our focus remains on ensuring justice and filing the chargesheet at the earliest,” SP Vinodh Patil H told reporters.
According to reports, the minor had gone to a friend’s house to celebrate a birthday party on Sunday evening but did not return home. Concerned family members began searching for her but were unable to locate her. Locals intervened upon hearing the girl’s screams, rushed to the spot, rescued her, and detained the truck driver before informing the police.
Upon receiving information, police arrived at the scene, arrested the truck driver, and rescued the girl. She was then taken for a medical check-up and shifted to Shakti Sadan, a government-run shelter home in Malkangiri town.
Investigations revealed that the minor was first gang-raped by three persons in Malkangiri town. Later, while attempting to return home, she sought help from the truck driver near National Highway 326 at Bija Ghati, but was raped again.
Police have confirmed that all legal procedures are being strictly followed and have assured that the matter is being handled with utmost seriousness
Further investigation is underway.
