1999 sensational gang-rape case: Prime accused arrested

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha police arrested prime accused Vivekananda alias Biban Biswal in the 1999 sensational gang-rape case involving the estranged wife of an IFS officer.

The incident had led to the resignation of then Odisha Chief Minister JB Patnaik in 1999.

Odisha police with the help of Maharashtra police nabbed the prime accused, who was absconding for the last 22 years, from Lonavala.

Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi said the accused had changed his name to Jalandar Swain and was staying in Aamby Valley in Lonavala near Mumbai. 

Sarangi said Biban was working as a plumber in Mumbai and had mentioned Naranpur (Cuttack)in his permanent address. 

“When we initiated an inquiry, we found out that no such person belongs to Naranpur. He had a permanent job, Aadhaar card and bank account there. But he was in contact with his family members and had asked his family to get a death certificate in his name to avoid police detention in future,” the CP informed.

Witnesses have recognized him and he will be handed over to CBI, which is investigating the 1999 case, said Sarangi. 

On the night of January 9-10, 1999, the victim was gang-raped by three persons near Baranga while she was going to Cuttack from Bhubaneswar along with a journalist-friend in a car. She was raped by Pradip, Dhirendra and Biban. The police arrested Pradip and Dhirendra following the incident on January 26.

In 2002, Khordha District and Sessions Judge Court had sentenced the duo to life imprisonment in the gang rape case.