Bhubaneswar, Sept 17: In a shocking revelation, police on Tuesday disclosed that the two accused in the gang-rape of a 19-year-old college student near the Baliharachandi temple also extorted money from her male companion during the crime.

The incident occurred on Saturday when the survivor and her 20-year-old friend were confronted in a secluded forest area, just a few kilometers from the temple. The accused, identified as Siba Sahoo and Manoj Sahoo, trailed the couple, assaulted the man, and allegedly filmed them before raping the young woman in his presence.

Investigations revealed that the accused forced the man to pay Rs 2,500—Rs 500 in cash and Rs 2,000 via UPI transfer. Police have recovered digital evidence of the transaction.

Siba, who runs a betel shop near the temple, chillingly resumed his business routine soon after the crime, while Manoj, an autorickshaw driver, was nabbed near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border on Monday night.

The survivor later identified Siba at his shop, prompting locals to detain him and alert the police. Meanwhile, Siba’s brother, who allegedly assaulted the survivor and her friend during the confrontation, has also been booked for separate assault charges.

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