Young model allegedly gang-raped during photoshoot in Odisha forest; 3 held
By S.N.Panda
Koraput, Aug. 23: Three men were on Saturday arrested in Odisha’s Koraput district for allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old woman during a photoshoot at a forested location, police sources said on Sunday.
The incident reportedly took place on August 5 in the Pine Forest area along the Jeypore-Koraput road. The woman, who police said works as a model, had gone to the location with a male friend for a photoshoot.
According to police, three men wearing black cloths over their faces and armed with knives reached the spot and allegedly threatened the woman and her friend. The accused allegedly robbed the duo of cash and also forced them to transfer money through online transactions.
The men allegedly subsequently sexually assaulted the woman before fleeing the area, police said.
The accused were identified as Barun Hial of Jeypore Sadar, Surendra Harijan of Nabarangpur and Sanyasi Sagar, alias Sanyasi Gamango, of Jeypore Sadar.
Following a written complaint at Koraput Sadar police station, police registered a case and launched an investigation. Investigators subsequently identified the suspects and arrested them, police said.
All three accused were produced before a court, police said.
Police were continuing their investigation to establish the sequence of events and determine whether others were involved. Further details are awaited.
