Odisha ex-minister charge-sheeted in dowry case

Police Saturday filed a charge sheet against former Odisha minister and Biju Janata Dal leader Raghunath Mohanty, his son and three members of his family in a torture for dowry case, officials said.

The human rights protection cell of police filed the charge sheet in the court of the sub-divisional judicial magistrate in Balasore, 220 km from Bhubaneswar, a police officer told IANS.

Mohanty's daughter-in-law Barsa Swony Choudhury had filed a police complaint March 14 last year saying her husband Raja Shree Mohanty and members of his family were torturing her for dowry since her marriage in June 2012.

Barsa Swony Choudhury said her parents had given Rs.10 lakh as dowry at the time of the wedding, as was demanded.

But her father-in-law, husband, and the other family members were insisting that her parents pay Rs.25 lakh and also give a multi-utility vehicle.

Raghunath Mohanty, his wife and son were arrested but they are now out on bail.

The allegation had forced Mohanty, a five-time legislator from Basta constituency in Balasore district, to resign from the state cabinet in March.

He was holding the portfolios of housing and urban development, law and information technology.