A woman was raped and brutally assaulted in Dhenkanal district on Monday and is currently in critical condition. The woman went to bathe in the nearby Sapua River but did not return home, prompting her family to search for her. A cattle grazer found her in a severely injured state, and villagers transported her for medical assistance.

The police informed NDTV that the woman sustained serious injuries, including facial disfigurement, after being attacked with a sharp object. The local emergency medical system faced significant shortcomings when the woman needed immediate transport to a hospital, as no ambulance was available at that time. Health officials stated that an inquiry will be conducted to assess any deficiencies in ambulance service. The woman is suffering from severe health issues and requires specialized treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital. Hospital authorities reported that she has lost a considerable amount of blood and will need several surgeries, with her life hanging in the balance over the next 72 hours. This incident has raised alarms about the brutality of the attack and the inadequacy of medical care.

Following the survivor’s family’s complaint, police initiated an investigation and registered an FIR under relevant legal sections. They have launched a manhunt for the suspect, who has been identified but is currently evading capture. Multiple police teams have been formed, as stated by Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar, who mentioned that technical surveillance is being used to track the suspect. Locals have accused the suspect of being a resident of their village with a history of inappropriate behavior. Protests erupted at Bhapur market, where residents demanded his immediate arrest and urged authorities to take stringent action against him.