Police in India have launched a manhunt after a woman was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men who stopped her car while she was out with a male friend. The attack happened on Tuesday night near Sukarpada village on the Cuttack-Chandbali Road in the eastern state of Odisha.
Attack details
The woman, in her 30s, and her friend were travelling from Bhubaneswar towards Kendrapara when a group of between four and six men intercepted them. According to police, the suspects attacked the woman's friend and sexually assaulted her.
Police said the pair knew each other from work. The group forced the car to stop before attacking the man and assaulting the woman. The suspects then fled the scene, leaving the two at the spot.
Police response
Cuttack Rural Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal told the Indian Express: “All the procedures have been followed. A senior police officer of deputy superintendent of police rank has been assigned to lead the investigation. Multiple teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused. We are hopeful that they will be arrested soon.”
Agrawal added: “When they stopped near Sukarpada village on the Cuttack-Chandbali Road, a group of four to six men intercepted them. The suspects thrashed the friend, and gangraped the woman. The group fled the spot, leaving the two at the spot.”
Police have seized the vehicle the woman and her friend were travelling in as part of efforts to gather evidence. Forensic teams were sent to the scene to collect physical evidence. The woman is in a stable condition and is receiving medical treatment and counselling.
Background statistics
A White Paper published by Odisha’s home department in March found that 2,994 rape cases were reported in 2025. Police said by the end of last year, charge sheets were filed in 1,930 cases, according to the Indian Express. In 2024, 3,054 rape cases were reported.
