BARGARH: Bargarh police on Sunday arrested six persons for allegedly sharing the video of a girl, in college uniform, being molested on social media. The video that went viral on Saturday shows the victim being molested by a group of youths and her male companion being assaulted on the road.
The accused have been identified as Hotasan Hati (24) of Khaira village under Paikmal Police limits and Ajit Barik (28), Jayaprakash Bhoi (31), Umakanta Bhoi (39), Hitesh Barik (18) and Nutan Barik (38) of Bhukuramunda village under Jagdalpur Police limits.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Padampur, Laxmi Narayan Panda said Bargarh SP B Jugal Kishore had ordered for the verification of the video and launching a probe into the incident.
“Since nobody had lodged any complaint in this regard, Paikmal police suo motu filed a case. After identifying the culprits, the team conducted raids at several places and succeeded in nabbing the accused,” Panda added.
The incident had occurred on October 4, when the victim had gone to Khaira Dam near Bhukuramunda village along two of her male friends in a motorcycle.
“The youth, who was riding the motorcycle, left the girl and the other youth near the dam. The accused were organising a picnic at the spot. On finding the girl and the youth alone, the accused started chasing the duo and misbehaved with them. Later, they molested the girl,” police added.
Out of fear and shame, the victims did not disclose the incident to anyone, Panda said. According to police, one of the accused, Hotasan, had recorded the incident with his mobile phone and later posted the video on WhatsApp. “At least four more persons were involved in the incident. Further raids are going on and they will be arrested soon,” the SDPO added.
Back-to-Back shockers
November 16: Police arrested three persons on charges of making viral a video featuring a girl being stripped in Mayurbhanj district
November 17: Police arrested a youth, student of B B College at Baiganbadia village under Kuliana block in Mayurbhanj district, from Baripada town on similar charges. The youth was later sent to jail after the sub-divisional judicial magistrate court rejected his bail petition.
November 17: Police in Keonjhar district registered a case after a video showing a woman being forced to undress in a forest went viral in the district.
November 24: A youth of Malasahi in Badapal area of Balasore district was arrested by Remuna police for allegedly uploading morphed obscene video of a girl on social media.