Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Masked Man Allegedly Assaults Woman Engineer at Gunpoint in Bhubaneswar
A 26-year-old engineer told police that a masked stranger entered her rented apartment in Bhubaneswar.
She said the man sexually assaulted her.
Police said he allegedly threatened her with something that looked like a gun or a toy gun.
The woman was staying with her older sister.
Police officers visited the apartment and began investigating.
They recorded the woman’s statement and conducted or arranged a medical examination.
Police are checking security-camera footage to try to identify the suspect.
The Biju Janata Dal and local residents want the suspect arrested quickly and want more police patrols.
A 26-year-old woman engineer allegedly reported being raped by an unidentified masked man at her rented apartment.
Police said the incident occurred Wednesday night in the Nayapalli area of Bhubaneswar.
The woman said the suspect entered after she mistook his knock for her sister’s and threatened her with a gun or toy gun.
Police recorded her statement, conducted or arranged a medical examination and began reviewing nearby CCTV footage.
The Biju Janata Dal and local residents demanded the suspect’s immediate arrest, strict punishment and increased police patrolling.
- Who
- A 26-year-old woman engineer reported the alleged assault; police are investigating an unidentified masked suspect.
- What
- The woman allegedly reported being raped or sexually assaulted in her apartment after the suspect threatened her with a gun or toy gun.
- When
- The incident allegedly occurred Wednesday night, and police described the investigation on Thursday.
- Where
- A rented apartment in the Nayapalli police station area of Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Why
- Police are investigating to identify and arrest the alleged attacker; the reports do not establish a motive.
Calls for Immediate Action
Police Investigation
Arrest and punishment
Calls for Immediate Action
The Biju Janata Dal and local residents demanded the alleged culprit’s immediate arrest and strict or stringent punishment.
Police Investigation
Police said they had formed teams and were working to identify and trace the suspect.
Women’s safety
Calls for Immediate Action
The Biju Janata Dal said the incident raised serious concerns about women’s safety and security in Bhubaneswar; residents called for increased patrolling.
Police Investigation
Police said senior officers visited the scene and that investigative procedures, including statement recording, medical examination and CCTV review, were underway.
- Reported victim
- 26-year-old woman engineer
- Suspect
- Unidentified masked man
- Location
- Nayapalli area, Bhubaneswar
- Alleged weapon
- A gun or toy gun, according to police accounts
- Police action
- A case was registered; the woman’s statement was recorded and a medical examination was conducted or arranged
- Evidence review
- CCTV footage from the apartment and nearby or adjoining areas is being examined
- State crime data
- Odisha recorded 1,606 rape cases and 21,069 crimes against women from January 1 through July 31, 2026, according to Assembly data cited in the reports
