Woman alleges rape by BJD MLA, court asks police to probe it

BARIPADA: A court has directed police to inquire into a complaint of rape against a ruling BJD MLA and his associate in Odisha.

Janaki Rout, Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate, Udala in Mayurbhanj district, yesterday directed police to enquire into the alleged rape of a 35-year-old woman by BJD MLA Srinath Soren and his associate Swarup Das alias Bula.

In a complaint to the court, the woman from Talapadia village alleged that the MLA and his associate had raped her at his residence on January 3 when she demanded that he return Rs One lakh given to the legistator for getting a job.

The MLA denied the allegation and said it was a ploy by his opponents to tarnish his image ahead of elections.