Crime / Court Frames Charges Against Five Accused in Gopalpur Gang-Rape Case
·7 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
- Court has framed charges against five adult accused in the Gopalpur beach gang-rape case.
- Witness deposition begins on December 19 as the case proceeds under a time-bound, high-priority trial.
- CID Crime Branch had arrested 10 accused earlier, including four minors, and submitted a chargesheet within 45 days.
Berhampur, Dec 8: In the Gopalpur beach gang-rape case that had triggered state-wide outrage, a local court on Monday framed charges against five adult accused. The charges were framed by the Additional District Judge (ADJ)-II Court.
According to a source, deposition of witnesses will begin on December 19. The case is being treated as a time-bound, high-priority trial.
Earlier, Gopalpur police had arrested 10 accused, including four minors and six adults, in connection with the June 15 crime. The case was later transferred from the local police to the CID Crime Branch, which completed the investigation and submitted a chargesheet within 45 days.
Background of the Case
A 20-year-old college student was allegedly gang-raped at an isolated stretch of the Gopalpur beach on June 15. Investigators said the accused also extorted Rs 1,000 from the survivor and her male friend through cash and UPI after the assault.
Among those arrested, the prime accused — identified as Pramod Nayak (23) — is a B.Tech dropout who had returned from Bengaluru, where he worked at an electronic goods factory. Police said he has previous criminal records, including an attempt-to-murder case and a bomb-making case registered at Purusottampur police station. He had been out on bail at the time of the assault.
According to investigators, the accused group reached Gopalpur on three motorcycles around 3:30pm and moved to an isolated spot by 6pm. The survivor and her male companion arrived shortly thereafter. Around 8pm, the man was overpowered, and the woman was raped by multiple accused in turns. The others restrained the male companion.
A CID team led by Crime Against Women & Children Wing IG S Shyni visited the crime scene twice, collecting forensic evidence including sand samples, cigarette stubs, and materials used by the accused. The agency has also recorded statements of the survivor and the lone eyewitness (her companion), both in audio and video formats, and plans to collect DNA samples of all accused.
Also Read: Rajgangpur Minor Dies of Burn Injuries
The CID has requested the Juvenile Justice Board to allow trial of the four minors as adults, citing the gravity of the offence.
According to a source, deposition of witnesses will begin on December 19. The case is being treated as a time-bound, high-priority trial.
Earlier, Gopalpur police had arrested 10 accused, including four minors and six adults, in connection with the June 15 crime. The case was later transferred from the local police to the CID Crime Branch, which completed the investigation and submitted a chargesheet within 45 days.
Background of the Case
A 20-year-old college student was allegedly gang-raped at an isolated stretch of the Gopalpur beach on June 15. Investigators said the accused also extorted Rs 1,000 from the survivor and her male friend through cash and UPI after the assault.
Among those arrested, the prime accused — identified as Pramod Nayak (23) — is a B.Tech dropout who had returned from Bengaluru, where he worked at an electronic goods factory. Police said he has previous criminal records, including an attempt-to-murder case and a bomb-making case registered at Purusottampur police station. He had been out on bail at the time of the assault.
According to investigators, the accused group reached Gopalpur on three motorcycles around 3:30pm and moved to an isolated spot by 6pm. The survivor and her male companion arrived shortly thereafter. Around 8pm, the man was overpowered, and the woman was raped by multiple accused in turns. The others restrained the male companion.
A CID team led by Crime Against Women & Children Wing IG S Shyni visited the crime scene twice, collecting forensic evidence including sand samples, cigarette stubs, and materials used by the accused. The agency has also recorded statements of the survivor and the lone eyewitness (her companion), both in audio and video formats, and plans to collect DNA samples of all accused.
Also Read: Rajgangpur Minor Dies of Burn Injuries
The CID has requested the Juvenile Justice Board to allow trial of the four minors as adults, citing the gravity of the offence.
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