Bhubaneswar, June 25, 2025: The Odisha Crime Branch, which is currently investigating the high-profile Gopalpur gangrape case, is likely to recreate the crime scene as part of its efforts to gather crucial evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events. The incident, which took place earlier this month, has sparked widespread outrage across the state, prompting the government to hand over the probe to the elite agency.
According to sources within the Crime Branch, a special team led by a senior officer has already visited the crime spot in Gopalpur, Ganjam district. Investigators are examining forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and mobile tower data to establish a clear timeline. Recreating the scene, officials say, will help identify inconsistencies in witness testimonies and corroborate the survivor’s statement.
The survivor, a college student in her early twenties, was allegedly abducted and gangraped by a group of men while returning from a local beach late in the evening. She managed to escape and report the incident to local police, who made initial arrests before the case was transferred to the Crime Branch.
So far, five suspects have been detained and interrogated. Their statements are being cross-verified with physical evidence collected from the location. “We are taking this investigation very seriously. Every piece of evidence is being meticulously examined. The decision to recreate the crime scene is part of a scientific approach to ensure no detail is overlooked,” said a senior Crime Branch official on condition of anonymity.
Officials are also in consultation with forensic experts and psychologists to provide necessary support to the survivor and maintain the integrity of her testimony. The State Forensic Science Laboratory has been roped in to analyze material evidence recovered from the site.
Public pressure continues to mount, with student groups, women’s rights activists, and civil society organizations demanding swift justice. Protests have been held in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and other cities, urging the state government to ensure that the accused are prosecuted under the strictest provisions of the law.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep concern over the incident and assured that justice will be delivered. “This is a heinous crime, and the culprits will not be spared. I have instructed the Crime Branch to carry out a thorough and speedy investigation,” he said in a press briefing.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch is expected to submit an interim report within the next week. The agency may also seek the court’s permission to conduct a test identification parade (TIP) of the suspects.
As the investigation progresses, all eyes are now on the Crime Branch to deliver results that will not only ensure justice for the survivor but also reaffirm public trust in the state’s law enforcement agencies.
