Heartbreaking Struggle of Odisha Woman in Delhi as Police Unravel Her Story Through Phone Clues

A woman from Odisha, struggling with mental health challenges, endured a horrific experience in Delhi before being rescued by police with the help of a simple phone number. Her journey sheds light on the plight of vulnerable individuals living in cities far from home.

The woman, in her mid-thirties, left her native Odisha with hopes of finding a job in Delhi but ended up homeless. She had no stable residence, spending nights at bus stops and railway stations. On October 10, her situation took a tragic turn. She was found by police in Sarai Kale Khan, 11 kilometers from her last known location, with visible injuries and torn clothing.

A Network of Compassionate Detectives

The Delhi Police, alerted by a distress call, rushed her to AIIMS Trauma Centre. An initial investigation revealed she had been assaulted. With few leads, police officers relied on empathy and community connections to learn more. Recognizing her mental state, they sent a woman constable fluent in Odia, accompanied by a social worker, to gently coax details from her.

Through sensitive interactions, police discovered her tragic story. Previously active in Odisha’s community development sector, her journey to Delhi in May had been filled with optimism. According to police, she initially found a job and shared a flat with an acquaintance in Southwest Delhi. However, her mental health deteriorated rapidly, causing friction with her roommate.

A Critical Phone Number and a Former Landlord's Help

The turning point in the investigation came when the woman provided a phone number. Though the phone was no longer in her possession, the police traced it to her last residence. Her former landlord shared that, due to her worsening mental health, her flatmate had once taken her to a police station in August, where they tried reaching her family in Odisha.

This encounter proved invaluable. Her family’s contact details were documented, allowing police to locate her relatives. They discovered that she had left Odisha without informing anyone, prompting her family to file a missing person report in June.

Revealing the Attack

Police continued their investigation, reviewing footage from hundreds of CCTV cameras. They found that Parmod, a scrap shop owner, encountered her on the night of October 10. Allegedly intoxicated, he and another man, Shamsul, took advantage of her vulnerable state, with a third man, an auto driver named Prabhu, joining in the assault later. These men underestimated the police's determination, thinking their actions were hidden. However, technology led to their arrests, providing some sense of justice for the victim.

Road to Recovery and Support from Community

With the support of the Odisha government, her mother and brother arrived in Delhi to be by her side. They were further assisted by the Delhi State Legal Services, ensuring she received proper care. Today, she’s undergoing mental health treatment, and police sources report that her condition has begun to improve.