Cuttack: A 30-year-old woman, who was on her way home from work with a male colleague, was gang-raped by six men on the Cuttack-Chandbali road, early on Wednesday. Five men were arrested on Thursday, while a sixth accused is on the run.According to the police, the incident took place between 3 am and 4 am on Wednesday. The woman and her friend (26), both of whom work at a private firm in Bhubaneswar, were returning home in Kendrapada district.“The man was driving the car. During the journey he felt drowsy and pulled over to take a bit of rest on the Cuttack-Chandbali road,” Cuttack (rural) SP Vinit Agrawal said.Suddenly, the accused approached the car. “They broke the windshield and thrashed the man. They then gang-raped the woman inside the vehicle,” the SP said.Following the incident, the woman approached police in the early hours of Wednesday, and a case was registered at Nischintakoili police station.“Five persons were arrested in connection with the case. One accused is on the run and police teams are working to trace him. We will apprehend him as well,” Agrawal said.According to the SP, the five arrested men are locals. Police have seized the car for examination. A forensic team visited the crime scene and collected physical evidence.“We have recorded the statement of the woman and conducted her medical examination. Her health condition is fine, and she is with her family,” the SP added.A DSP-rank officer has been assigned to supervise the investigation, and multiple teams have been formed to trace the absconding accused.“We will submit the chargesheet within 90 days and will also monitor the case during the trial,” Agrawal said.
