Narrated through a series of flashbacks, this poignant tale evocatively traces the trials and travails in the life of Urmila (Tanuja), a young schoolteacher, who is beautiful and loved by all.
Happy and carefree, she decides to go on holiday to the sea resort of Gopalpur. Her vacation turns into a nightmare as she is gang-raped on the beach by four rich young men. This is only the beginning of her ordeal.
In the aftermath, the faces immense difficulties her quest for justice. Her friends and colleagues begin to avoid her. Her fiance can't handle the situation, and their engagement is broken off. Even her father, though supportive of her wish to bring the culprits to book, turns against her. One of the most striking scenes of the film is set in his office. Tired of answering solicitous, yet prurient, questions from his colleagues, he places on his desk a placard that reads "My raped daughter is well".
The families of the culprits are rich and influential, and try their best to subvert the legal process. The police officer who investigates the case is placed under suspension. Urmila faces humiliating questions during the trial, as well as unwanted media attention, but the question remains, will she finally get justice or will all her efforts be in vain?