In a significant breakthrough, the Bhubaneswar police have arrested the prime accused in a harrowing gang rape case that occurred on the city's outskirts last week. The arrest of Satya Prakash Hati alias Happy came on Thursday, December 19, following an intense manhunt.
Details of the Crime and Initial Arrests
The incident dates back to December 10, when a 17-year-old college student and her male friend were targeted. According to the official complaint, the two victims were conversing in an isolated area when a group of five men assaulted them. The male friend was beaten and held hostage, while three of the assailants took turns raping the teenage girl in front of him. The ordeal lasted for nearly three hours, during which the victims were also robbed of their jewellery and the assault was filmed on a mobile phone.
The survivor lodged a formal complaint the following day, which led to the arrest of two accused, Kalandi Patra and Bibhu Mishra, on December 15. Police investigations revealed that the group had attended a feast in Laxmisagar before proceeding to Dhauli, where they committed the crime in an intoxicated state near a riverbank.
Capture of a Habitual Offender
The arrested prime accused, Satya Prakash Hati, is described by police as a history-sheeter with 18 prior criminal cases registered against him. A senior police officer stated that Hati is a habitual offender, with a record including arrests for dacoity, hooliganism, and extortion. Notably, he was also involved in an assault on a police officer in Bhubaneswar in 2023. Hati had been absconding since the December 10 incident and is considered the mastermind behind this attack.
"We have so far arrested three men and are searching for two others. A test identification parade will be conducted soon," the officer confirmed. The police have seized mobile phones from the arrested individuals as part of the evidence collection.
Crime Scene Reconstruction and Investigation Status
Following Hati's arrest, the Odisha police conducted a detailed reconstruction of the crime scene in Dhauli. The exercise, carried out under heavy security deployment, aimed to verify the survivor's account and establish the precise sequence of events. Officials emphasized that this step is critical for piecing together the specific roles of each accused and gathering corroborative evidence for a strong case in court.
The case has been classified as a 'red flag' case by the Odisha Police, ensuring direct supervision and monitoring by the state's crime branch. This designation underscores the severity with which the authorities are treating the incident and their commitment to a swift and thorough investigation.
The police continue their search for the two remaining accused as the community seeks justice for the brutal assault that has shaken Bhubaneswar.
