New Delhi: Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports on the mob assault of a 22-year-old woman in Rayagada district on June 16, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday asked Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania to submit an action taken report.

The Commission directed the DGP to furnish a detailed report within seven days regarding the incident, which involved mob assault, molestation, and alleged public stripping of the woman intern following rumours of child kidnapping.

Condemning the incident, the NCW sought details of the FIR, provisions invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the current status of the investigation, arrests made so far, and action taken against those responsible for spreading misinformation.

The Commission also asked for information on the medical care, counselling, and rehabilitation provided to the survivor. Additionally, it sought details of measures adopted to ensure the safety of NGO workers and interns, along with steps taken to curb mob vigilantism through community policing and public awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, the Odisha DGP has ordered the Rayagada mob violence case where two NGO fellows were brutally assaulted after being mistaken for child kidnappers to be tagged as a ‘Red Flag’ case. The Crime Against Women (CAW) wing has been directed to monitor the investigation.

So far, 23 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Police said several suspects remain absconding, and multiple teams have been formed to track them down.

The incident occurred near Kandulguda village under Kalyansinghpur police limits when two NGO fellows, a young woman from Bihar and her male colleague, were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district to Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district.

Case background

The victims, both in their early 20s, were allegedly mistaken for child lifters after rumours spread by miscreants triggered panic among villagers.

According to the victims, they were using Google Maps for navigation when they encountered a waterlogged stretch. A local man, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, approached them, questioned their identity, and warned them about the road condition. As they attempted to leave, their scooter skidded into a field. They then tried to escape on foot but were intercepted by a group of villagers.

The woman alleged several people assaulted them, and some individuals behaved inappropriately with her. A few villagers later intervened and helped them escape.

Videos of the assault, which went viral on social media, showed the mob attacking the woman and tearing her clothes. Police later rescued the victims with the help of locals after receiving information about the incident.

The violence reportedly continued even after the rescue, with attackers vandalising the Community Health Centre (CHC) where the victims were undergoing treatment.

Investigators estimate around 40 to 50 people were involved in the mob violence. Cases have been registered under various provisions of the BNS, and further arrests are expected in the coming days.