A 67-year-old grocery shop owner has been arrested for allegedly raping an MBA student at a women’s hostel in Bhubaneswar. The accused, identified as Deepak Pradhan, runs a shop near the hostel in the Gangapada area.
According to police, the incident took place on April 24 when the accused allegedly entered the hostel premises and assaulted the student, who is originally from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.
Survivor Files Complaint, Probe Underway
The survivor approached the police and filed a complaint at the Info Valley Police Station soon after the incident. Police have confirmed that she has been sent for medical examination as part of the investigation.
Officials said they are also trying to determine how the accused managed to enter the women’s hostel. “We are investigating how an outsider gained access to the hostel premises,” a police officer said.
After initial questioning, the accused is expected to be produced in court and sent to judicial custody.
Security Concerns Raised
The case has raised serious concerns about safety and security in hostels, especially regarding access control and monitoring of outsiders. Authorities are expected to examine lapses that may have allowed the incident to occur.
Similar Crimes Trigger Wider Concern
The incident comes amid growing concern over crimes against women. Recently, a shocking case in Delhi involved the rape and murder of a 22-year-old woman by a former domestic worker.
The accused, Rahul Meena, allegedly entered the victim’s home using a spare key while her parents were away. Police said he assaulted her with a blunt object, raped her, and later strangled her.
During interrogation, the accused claimed he had initially intended to commit theft but attacked the victim when confronted.
