Pratap Dalei, inspector‑in‑charge of Gondia block, told NDTV that police will take strict action after investigating the video that shows a young couple being assaulted on a motorcycle on a road leading to Kapilash in Dhenkanal district. The footage captures a group surrounding the riders, with the man being physically attacked while the woman is harassed and repeatedly begs the attackers to let them go.
The incident surfaced online days after a similar assault involving a minor boy and girl in Jamui, Bihar, on September 19. In that case, the Jamui Superintendent of Police, Bishwajeet Dayal, announced that a Special Investigation Team led by a woman officer had arrested three individuals and was searching for others.
Dalei added that the identities of some of the assailants in the Odisha case have already been established and that a formal investigation will follow. He emphasized that the police would not hesitate to prosecute those found guilty, underscoring a zero‑tolerance stance on public harassment.
The video has sparked outrage on social media, with users calling for swift justice. The couple, who fled the scene after the attackers dispersed, said the assault left them shaken and fearful of traveling alone.
Police officials are now combing through surveillance footage from nearby toll booths and interviewing witnesses to build a comprehensive case. An arrest warrant is expected to be issued once the investigative team gathers sufficient evidence.
The next development will be the formal chargesheet, which authorities aim to file within the next fortnight, marking a decisive step toward accountability for the attackers.