Five school teachers held in Odisha for ‘raping’ 13-year-old girl

Five teachers of a private school were arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in Odisha’s Kendrapara district on Saturday, February 21, 2026, police said.

A senior official said the arrests were made after the class 7 student’s father and the district child welfare committee lodged separate complaints with the Rajkanika police station alleging that the accused teachers had raped the minor.

He said that the student’s parents appealed to the district child welfare committee after their daughter accused her teachers of sexually harassing her for a long time.

The committee initially investigated the allegation and took the matter to Rajkanika police station, an official said.

“A complaint was lodged on February 18. After a 48-hour investigation, we referred the case to the police for legal action,” said Swagatika Patra, member of the child welfare committee.

The panel said it also ordered the district education officer to conduct a separate investigation into the allegation.

Rajkanika police station inspector-in-charge Sanjay Mallick said, “Based on two complaints, the girl’s statement was recorded in accordance with legal provisions. The accused and the victim underwent medical examinations. The accused teachers were arrested as part of preliminary investigation. Further investigation is on.” he said.

The opposition BJD submitted a memorandum to the Kendrapara SP, demanding strict punishment of the culprits.