Sexual assault survivors kill 60-year-old accused, burn his body

BHUBANESWAR: In a disturbing case from Odisha’s Gajapati district, ten people — including eight women and a local panchayat member — have been arrested for allegedly murdering and burning the body of a 60-year-old man who was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing women in the village.

According to police, the accused claimed that the man had most recently assaulted a 52-year-old widow on June 3. They further alleged that he had a history of similar offences against several women in the community. Following the latest incident, a group of women reportedly convened at the widow’s residence, where they, along with two men, devised a plan to eliminate him.

On the day of the crime, the women allegedly went to the man’s house while he was asleep. The 52-year-old widow, with assistance from the group, is believed to have killed him. The body was then buried in a concealed location.

Those arrested individuals told authorities that the man had subjected them to repeated sexual abuse and that the killing was intended to prevent further victimization.

The incident came to light after the man’s family reported him missing. During the investigation, police discovered evidence suggesting that the man had been murdered and his body disposed of. An in-depth probe into the case is currently underway.