Kataka: A case of alleged sexual assault on a woman in the Nischintakoili area in Kataka district has taken a serious turn, with police confirming the woman was allegedly gang-raped.

According to Kataka Rural Police, the incident occurred on Tuesday night when the woman and her male friend were inside a car parked by the roadside along the Cuttack-Chandbali road near the Sukarpada petrol pump.

A group of youths, allegedly in inebriated condition, reportedly approached the car and asked the woman and her male friend to come out. When they did not open the doors, the accused allegedly broke one of the car windows using a tong and forcibly dragged the woman out of the vehicle.

Police said the woman was allegedly taken to a dilapidated building located by the roadside, where she was gang-raped.

On basis of a complaint filed by the women, a case has been registered at Nischintakoili police station under Case No. 305, invoking Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police have so far arrested two accused, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused. According to police, four and six persons are suspected to have been involved in the incident.

Kataka Rural SP Vineet Agrawal said the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness and multiple teams have been formed to nab the accused.

“Four special teams have been formed and raids are being conducted at different locations to apprehend the accused. A DSP has been assigned the responsibility of supervising the investigation,” the SP said.

Police said further investigation is underway and efforts are being made to identify and arrest all those allegedly involved in the crime.