As many as ten people, including four minors, have been apprehended in connection with the gang rape of a 20-year-old college student at Gopalpur beach in Odisha’s Ganjam district, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Sunday night during the Raja festival when the woman visited the beach with her classmate.

The woman later filed a complaint at the Gopalpur police station, alleging that a group of 10 men overpowered her boyfriend and took turns raping her at a secluded spot. The accused reportedly extorted money from the couple, both in cash and through digital payment, before allowing them to leave.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and directed the Odisha DGP to submit an action-taken report within three days. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also sought immediate arrest of all accused, time-bound investigation, and free medical and psychological care for the survivor. In a social media post, the NCW added, “Compensation must be ensured to the victim under Section 396 of the BNSS.”