Cuttack: After over a month-long pursuit, police have arrested a 22-year-old boy in connection with the alleged gang rape of a college student in Odisha's Cuttack district. The youth, identified as Satyabrat Parida, was apprehended by Cantonment Police at the Jajpur Road Railway Station on Wednesday. He is believed to be the mastermind behind the  abduction and gang rape of the Plus Three student. His three other associates, however, are still absconding. 

Police said Parida, a resident of Kalyanipur area of Binjharpur block in Jajpur district, works for a private firm in Delhi. He was previously acquainted with the victim who also hailed from Jajpur and was currently pursuing her undergraduate studies in Cuttack.

The Incident

In February, Parida allegedly abducted the student on a motorcycle from Cuttack and transported her to Puri. He was accompanied by three others, also from the Binjharpur area, traveling on two separate motorcycles. Upon reaching Puri, the group checked into a hotel. The victim was allegedly held against her will and served food and beverages. Shortly after consuming the meal, she lost consciousness.

Exploiting her condition, Parida and his three friends allegedly gang raped her repeatedly inside the hotel room. When the victim regained consciousness in the evening and realized the gravity of the assault, she managed to return and lodge a formal complaint at the Cantonment Police Station.

Police Action and Investigation

Following the complaint, the police registered a case and initiated a high-level probe. Acting on a tip-off that the prime accused was returning from Delhi to Jajpur, a special team—including a female Sub-Inspector—was formed. The team successfully intercepted and detained Parida at Jajpur Road Railway Station around 11 am on Wednesday. While Parida is currently under interrogation, a separate police unit is conducting raids across various locations in Jajpur district to nab the three fleeing accomplices.

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