Manhunt launched after woman out with a friend gang raped by group of men

A woman was allegedly gang-raped after a group of men stopped her and a male friend while they were out for a drive in India. Police said the pair were travelling from Bhubaneswar towards Kendrapara in the eastern state of Odisha on Tuesday night when they stopped near Sukarpada village on the Cuttack-Chandbali Road.

A group of between four and six men allegedly approached the pair before attacking the woman’s friend and sexually assaulting her, according to police. Police said the victim, in her 30s, and her male friend knew each other from work. Cuttack Rural Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal told the Indian Express: “All the procedures have been followed.

“A senior police officer of deputy superintendent of police rank has been assigned to lead the investigation.

“Multiple teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused. We are hopeful that they will be arrested soon.”

Police said that the group forced the car to stop before attacking the man and sexually assaulting the female occupant of the vehicle.

Agrawal added: “When they stopped near Sukarpada village on the Cuttack-Chandbali Road, a group of four to six men intercepted them. The suspects thrashed the friend, and gangraped the woman.

“The group fled the spot, leaving the two at the spot.”

A police investigation has now been launched after the woman lodged a complaint.

Police also seized the vehicle the woman and her friend had been travelling in as part of efforts to gather evidence.

Forensic teams were sent to the scene to collect physical evidence, while police said the woman was in a stable condition and was receiving medical treatment and counselling.

A White Paper published by Odisha’s home department in March found that 2,994 rape cases were reported in 2025.

Police said by the end of last year, charge sheets were filed in 1,930 cases, according to the Indian Express. They added that in 2024, 3,054 rape cases were reported.