(OT Webdesk)In a politically explosive development, BJD corporator Amaresh Jena was arrested on Sunday for allegedly raping a 19-year-old woman and coercing her into an abortion.
The arrest followed a three-day manhunt, culminating in his capture from Nilagiri, Balasore.
The victim, a resident of Jena’s ward, claims the abuse began in 2023 when she was a minor. She became pregnant in early 2024 and was allegedly forced to terminate the pregnancy via pills administered by Jena.
The police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act, including charges of rape, forced abortion, criminal intimidation, and sexual assault on a minor.
Jena was denied bail and remanded to Jharpada jail. Five associates were also arrested and sent to judicial custody.
The corporator accused Archana Nag of orchestrating the allegations, but Nag denied involvement in a video statement, asserting Jena was deflecting blame.
The BJD swiftly suspended Jena, reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on crimes against women. Party leaders emphasised that the suspension would not affect the party’s reputation.
The case has sparked political debate and public outrage, with protests from Jena’s supporters and a video appeal from the victim to the Chief Minister.
Police confirmed the arrests were based on concrete evidence and continue to investigate the roles of all accused.
