Bhubaneswar, Dec 21: Concerns over public safety have resurfaced in Odisha’s capital after two gang rape cases were reported within a span of 10 days, with police confirming arrests in both incidents.

In the latest case, Saheed Nagar police arrested two men for allegedly gang raping a minor girl in a rented hostel room on December 18, luring her with a promise of a data entry job. The accused have been identified as Akshay Rout and Sahil Khan.

According to police, the minor managed to escape and later lodged a complaint at Saheed Nagar police station. Following a swift investigation, police booked the accused under Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Both were produced before a court.

Police said the case has been placed under the “red flag” category due to its seriousness. The Crime Against Women (CAW) cell has collected all case records, and the Crime Branch will assist the Commissionerate Police in the investigation under the supervision of senior officers.

Earlier, on December 10, another gang rape case was reported from the Dhauli police station area, where a minor girl was allegedly assaulted on the banks of the Daya river after her male friend was tied up and beaten. Police arrested the main accused, identified as Satya Prakash Hati alias Joker Happy, along with Bibhu Prasad Mishra and Kalindi Patra. Two other accused are still absconding, police said.

In the past four months, at least three gang rape cases have been reported in Bhubaneswar. On September 14, a woman was allegedly gang raped inside a lodge in the Gadakana area after being drugged. Police arrested her male friend Chandan Hati, lodge owner Rajesh Das, and another accused Prasanna Acharya in that case.

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Separately, in another incident highlighting safety concerns, police arrested two men for allegedly misbehaving with a young woman at IG Park on December 20. The accused, identified as Ashish and Rakesh, were also accused of assaulting the woman’s male companion. Both were arrested on December 21.