A distressing incident has emerged from Odisha's Jajpur district, involving allegations of gang rape against a 15-year-old hockey trainee. As a result, a hockey coach and three of his associates have been taken into custody.

The survivor, who had been training at the Jajpur Hockey Stadium for the past two years, reported that the incident occurred on July 3rd. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the coach, identified as Sarthak, along with his associates Sandip and Sagar, allegedly abducted the girl while she was on her way home from training. They then took her to a local lodge where the assault occurred. The accused also threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

Following the incident, the survivor informed her mother, and a case was registered with the Jajpur Town Police Station. The accused have been booked under sections 70(2), 351(2), 74, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These sections relate to gang rape, criminal intimidation, criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and common intention.

The survivor's statement has been recorded before the district court, and she has been sent for a medical examination. Legal proceedings are currently underway. Police sources indicate that the accused allegedly took the trainee to a lodge and committed the crime while she was returning home after training.

The incident has ignited outrage across the district, particularly among sports and child rights communities. Demands for strict action against the accused have been voiced. The case has also raised serious concerns regarding safety protocols in sports training centers, especially those involving minors. Authorities have emphasized that a special team was formed immediately upon receiving the complaint, and a thorough interrogation of the detained individuals is in progress.