Kendrapada: Three hockey trainers were arrested in Jajpur district on Tuesday for the alleged gang-rape of a 15-year-old hockey player. A fourth person, who was also among those detained, was let off after police investigation found he was not part of the crime, investigating officer Sarat Patra said.The survivor, who had been training at the centre for the past two years, had filed an FIR on Sunday night.According to the FIR, the incident occurred on the evening of July 3, after a coaching session in a local stadium. The accused, aged 22, 26 and 27, allegedly took the girl to a lodge where they overpowered and gang-raped her. They reportedly threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident.Following the FIR, police launched an investigation and arrested the three accused under Sections 70(2) (gang-rape), 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 35(2) (common intention to commit a crime) of the BNS, along with Section 6 of the Pocso Act. Investigation also revealed that one of the accused had allegedly raped the victim in March this year, the investigating officer said.A court rejected their bail applications and remanded them in jail custody, police said.
