The NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported gang rape of a female college student on the Gopalpur sea beach of Ganjam District in Odisha

The NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported gang rape of a female college student on the Gopalpur sea beach of Ganjam District in Odisha

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 20-year-old female college student was allegedly subjected to gang rape by around 10 men on the Gopalpur sea beach of Ganjam District in Odisha on 15th June, 2025. Reportedly, the victim had gone to the beach along with a male friend to celebrate a festival. The perpetrators after overpowering her friend sexually assaulted her.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Odisha, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of the investigation in the case, the victim’s health and compensation/ counseling, if any, provided to her by the state authorities.

According to the media report, carried on 16th June, 2025, the victim has been sent to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for medical examination. The police have detained seven suspects in the case.