Keonjhar Tragedy: 17-Year-Old Tribal Girl Gangraped and Murdered, 4 Arrested
Keonjhar, (OT Webdesk): In a heart-wrenching incident that has sparked public outrage across Odisha, a 17-year-old tribal girl from Pandapada village in Keonjhar district was allegedly gangraped and murdered.
Odisha Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the case, one of whom was reportedly known to the victim.
The victim went missing on June 16 after leaving her home. Her body was discovered the next morning, hanging from a tree, raising suspicions of foul play.
Bloodstained garments and on-site evidence supported the initial hypothesis, leading to swift police action.
Authorities have registered a case under Sections 70(2), 103(1), and 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the POCSO Act and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
“We are investigating from all angles. The autopsy report will offer further clarity,” said Laxmikant Pradhan, IIC of Pandapada Police Station.
The brutal crime has ignited statewide protests and demands for justice, especially from tribal rights activists and women’s advocacy groups, calling for stricter safeguards for vulnerable communities.