Bhubaneswar: Three persons were arrested on Friday for the alleged gang rape of a 21-year-old woman in front of her fiancé in Nayagarh district on Oct 20.
The accused were identified as Bulu Lenka (39), Simansu Martha (23), and Goutam Pradhan (22). The trio were produced in court after interrogation on Saturday. Sources said the woman, accompanied by her fiancé, was returning home after visiting a temple when the accused intercepted them. Panchanan Parida, inspector of the local police station, said as per the complaint, the three accused pursued the couple near Pithakhai forest, dragged them into the forest, and raped the woma. They also assaulted the fiancé and threatened him with a sharp weapon. The incident was allegedly recorded on a mobile phone by the accused. Police said they even extorted Rs 2,000 from the couple, threatening to make it viral if they refused to comply.
“The accused shared the video on social media. They called the woman and her fiancé demanding more money, following which the woman lodged the complaint on Oct 25,” a police officer said.