A 23-year-old woman from Odisha was allegedly raped twice on February 22 before being pushed to her death from a four-storey building in Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district. Police said the victim was first assaulted by her boyfriend at a secluded location after visiting the Sarala temple and later raped again by another man who allegedly pushed her off a rooftop in an attempt to stage the crime as suicide.
Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police Ankit Kumar Verma confirmed that both accused have been arrested and booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rape and murder. The woman’s brother had filed a missing complaint the same night. Political leaders have condemned the incident, while investigations, including forensic examination and witness questioning, are ongoing.
Sequence of Assault and Death, According to Police
The case came to light on February 23 when residents in the Tarenigada area of Paradip found the semi-naked body of a young woman lying near the gate of a four-storey residential building. Her clothing was reportedly caught on a gas pipeline running along the wall, initially raising suspicions that she had fallen from the rooftop. With no immediate identification, police registered an unnatural death case and began questioning tenants living in the building.
During inspection, officers recovered the victim’s undergarments, clothes and slippers from beneath a bed in one of the rented rooms. Her mobile phone was found in the kitchen of the same premises. After switching it on, investigators established her identity and contacted her family. It later emerged that her brother had filed a missing complaint at the police station in Tirtol on the night of February 22 when she failed to return home.
Superintendent Verma stated that the young woman, a graduate pursuing a computer training course, had been in a relationship with one of the accused, Somanath Ojha. According to police findings, she had gone with him earlier that day to visit the revered Sarala Temple. At a secluded location, he allegedly raped her and later dropped her at Rahama bus stand before fleeing.
Later that night, another accused, identified as Suva Kumar Singh, a 24-year-old originally from Dhanbad, allegedly found her standing alone at the bus stand. Police said he was returning from Angul on a motorcycle when he approached her. Under the pretext of offering help, he reportedly took her to his rented accommodation in Tarenigada. There, investigators allege, he raped her on the rooftop and then pushed her off the building in an attempt to make the incident appear as suicide.
Both men have been arrested and produced before a local court. Police have seized the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime as well as the mobile phones of the accused. Officials added that further forensic analysis and scrutiny of digital evidence are underway.
Background, Investigation and Public Reaction
Police have stated that during interrogation, Ojha reportedly confessed to sexually assaulting the woman and abandoning her. Authorities further alleged that he had been exploiting her on the false promise of marriage. Singh, meanwhile, is accused not only of sexual assault but also of attempting to conceal the crime by pushing her from the rooftop.
The case has sparked outrage across the state, drawing sharp criticism from political leaders. Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, condemned the incident and questioned the prevailing law and order situation. He urged the government to ensure strict punishment for the accused and to strengthen safety measures for women, including awareness and preventive initiatives.
Local residents in Paradip have also expressed shock that such a brutal crime could unfold in a residential neighbourhood. The fact that the victim’s identity remained unknown for several hours highlights the vulnerability faced by women who may find themselves isolated and without immediate support.
Police have registered the case under Sections 140(1), 103(1) and 70(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with serious offences including rape and murder. Officials reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that a chargesheet will be filed after completion of evidence collection. Authorities have assured the family of a thorough probe.
The tragedy has once again brought attention to the pattern of violence against women across the country, particularly cases involving intimate partners or acquaintances. It also raises questions about bystander intervention, public safety infrastructure, and the need for responsive policing mechanisms that can act swiftly when a woman is reported missing.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This deeply disturbing incident is not just about two individuals accused of heinous crimes; it reflects a wider failure of trust, empathy and accountability in society. A young woman, reportedly seeking companionship and support, was instead betrayed, exploited and ultimately killed. The horror lies not only in the brutality of the acts but also in the vulnerability she faced while being left alone at night, without systems in place to ensure her safety.
Swift arrests and legal action are necessary, but they are only the first steps. Preventing such tragedies demands sustained commitment to gender sensitisation, comprehensive sex education, and community vigilance. Families, educational institutions and workplaces must foster conversations around consent, respect and equality. Law enforcement agencies must also ensure that missing complaints and distress signals are handled with urgency and sensitivity.
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