A 67-year-old grocery shop owner in Bhubaneswar was arrested on Sunday for allegedly raping an MBA student from Chhattisgarh. The incident took place on Friday night when he visited her rented accommodation to deliver some grocery items.
According to the police, the accused, who runs a small grocery store on the city's outskirts, entered her room under the pretext of delivering items. The survivor, in her early 20s, was alone at the time as her roommate was away. The man has been remanded in judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected, a police officer said.
Police stated that the survivor was a regular customer and was familiar with him. On Friday evening, she called him to inquire about certain grocery items. The shopkeeper claimed they were out of stock but offered to procure them from a nearby market and deliver them to her doorstep.
"Around 9:30 pm, he arrived at her place with the items. Finding her alone, he asked for water to drink after handing over the items. When the student went inside to fetch water, he allegedly locked the door and sexually assaulted her," the officer said. The accused reportedly threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the incident and attempted to lure her with promises of free groceries every month.
Shocked and traumatized, the survivor later confided in her roommate after she returned. The roommate informed their landlord, following which the survivor lodged a formal complaint with the police on Saturday.
"We arrested the accused after gathering prima facie evidence. He has been booked under Section 64(1) (rape) and Section 62 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita," the police officer said, adding that his background and past criminal record, if any, are being verified.
Senior officers said the survivor has been assured of full protection and support. The incident sparked concern in the area, highlighting the vulnerability of students and working women living alone in rented accommodations.
Rape cases in Bhubaneswar rose from 149 in 2024 to 170 last year, though police claimed that nine of the 2025 cases were found to be false.
Social worker Namrata Chadha underscored the urgent need for more women's hostels in the capital. "Bhubaneswar has emerged as an educational and IT hub, attracting students and professionals from across the country. Yet, we lack sufficient number of secure and safe hostels for women," Chadha said.
Students responded strongly to the incident. "Such crimes damage Bhubaneswar's reputation as an education hub. Police must ensure women feel safe 24x7. At the same time, we also have a responsibility to adopt certain precautions and safety measures," said Priyadarshini Tripathy, an engineering student.
