Bhadrak Minor Girl Rape‑Murder: Prime Accused Arrested, Odisha Police Probe Intensifies

Odisha Police have arrested the prime accused in the brutal rape and murder of a 10‑year‑old girl from Chandbali in Bhadrak district, marking a major breakthrough in the case that has shocked the state.

The crime occurred on December 23 when the minor went missing after school.

Her body was later discovered near a bush in Baligaon village under Chandbali Police Station limits. Investigators confirmed she was sexually assaulted before being killed.

The accused, identified as Bablu Das, was apprehended in Jagatsinghpur district early Wednesday.

Police had earlier detained five individuals, including four family members of a local resident, after a sniffer dog led investigators to Ganesh Das’s house in Rampalli village.

Public outrage erupted soon after the discovery, with locals staging road blockades and protests demanding swift justice.

To prevent unrest, a platoon of armed police has been deployed in the village, and a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police is scheduled to review the situation on‑ground.

Authorities have assured a thorough probe, with scientific teams examining CCTV footage and other evidence. The victim’s body has been sent for a postmortem.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over child safety in rural Odisha.