BJP to press for arrest of rape accused MLA

In the wake of a rape case filed against a ruling BJD MLA and one of his associate in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district on the direction of a court, BJP today said the party would hold demonstrations in front of all police stations in the district on January 26 demanding his immediate arrest.
BJP supporters led by district unit president Krushna Chandra Mohapatra and former minister Golak Chandra Nayak took out a rally at Udala and staged a demonstration outside the local police station demanding immediate arrest of the duo.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Udala, with an ultimatum in support of their demand.

On being directed by the court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Udala, Janaki Rout, a case was registered against Srinath Soren, who represents Udala constituency, and his associate Swarup Das alias Bula on under section 376 (D), 506 and 34 of IPC on January 20.
Refuting the allegation as false baseless and fabricated, Soren has said it was an attempt to tarnish his image ahead of elections.
A 35-year-old divorcee had alleged in a complaint petition before the court on January 4 that she was raped by Soren and his associate when she had been to the MLA's house at Nuasahi-Nagpal under Udala police station to get back Rs one lakh she had paid for getting a job.

After taking cognisance of the petition, the court had directed inspector-in-charge (IIC) of Udala police station to register a case and investigate into matter.
Meanwhile, additional superintendent of police, Bibhudendra Kumar Aich, who is the supervising officer in the case, said investigation was continuing and the statement of the woman taken.
IIC, Udala, Subrat Behera said medical examination of the woman was conducted in the sub-divisional hospital at Udala.