A 22-year-old deaf and mute girl was allegedly gang-raped at Jankia in Khurda district, 50km from here, on Saturday evening.

The victim was on Sunday shifted to Capital Hospital from Khurda district headquarters hospital.

The incident took place on Saturday evening when the victim had gone to a nearby field to attend to nature’s call with another 18-year-old girl.

According to the girl’s father, who has lodged a formal complaint, three persons had abducted the 22-year-old at knifepoint. The goons then took her to a nearby forest.

“The friend of the victim rushed to the house and told them about the incident. When the family members reached the forest, they found the girl lying unconscious. She was immediately rushed to the Khurda district headquarters hospital,” said a police official.

Police said that further investigation revealed that the other girl was the target of the accused.

“Though the girl was initially reluctant to share the details of the accused, she later narrated the event. One of the accused had a crush on the girl. After she rejected his proposal, the accused had decided to take revenge,” the cop said.

“According to plan, the accused and his two friends reached the spot and tried to abduct the girl. However, as she managed to run away, the goons targeted the other girl,” he added.

Doctors at the Capital Hospital said the victim had sustained severe injuries in her private parts and her condition was critical. The police have also identified the accused involved in the crime.

Sub-divisional police officer, Khurda, Jugal Kishore Das said a special team had been constituted to nab the accused. “A case has been registered with Jankia police station and we have conducted raids on the houses of the accused. But they are absconding,” Das said.