Odisha: Young Couple Harassed, Attacked in Dhenkanal; Two Detained

A young couple were harassed and attacked by a group in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district as they returned on a motorcycle from a well-known tourist and religious site. The incident came to light after a video of the incident appeared on social media on Tuesday, following which police detained two individuals.

This development comes amid reports of two teenagers in Bihar’s Jamui being targeted. The boy was attacked, while the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a group of men.

Dhenkanal Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar said police had filed an FIR and initiated an investigation. “We have detained two people and will arrest them soon. We are checking whether others were involved,” Sonkar said.

Couple confronted by local youth

Police are checking to determine precisely when the incident occurred. They said four individuals from neighbouring Cuttack district, including the couple, had visited the site on two motorcycles.

On the way back, a member of the group got into an argument with a local youth. A police officer said that after the fight, the local youth reportedly called several family members, who then pursued the couple and attacked them. He said the two individuals detained by police are members of the same family.

“We are checking the precise circumstances that led to the confrontation,” the officer said.

The couple filed a zero FIR, which was later forwarded to Gondia police station, where a case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Police are examining the video and other evidence to establish the identities and roles of those involved.