Blot on khaki: Odisha cop held on rape charges

Puri: An assistant driver posted at Nimapara police station in Odisha’s Puri district was arrested for allegedly blackmailing and repeatedly raping a woman.

According to reports, the accused Gangadhar Rout came in contact with the woman more than a year ago when he was working at the Satyabadi police station in the district. She had come to the police station for lodging a complaint during which the accused befriended her on the pretext of helping her in the matter.

Later, he allegedly blackmailed and raped her. Though police had registered a case in this connection, Gangadhar managed to secure bail in July, this year.

The woman had recently approached the district SP over the incident, following which the accused was arrested yesterday. He will be forwarded to court today, police sources said.

“One Rita Baral from Majhikera village had filed a complaint at Satyabadi police station last year. The accused then posted as assistant driver at Satyabadi police station had lured the woman and established physical relationship with her. He also took Rs 80, 000 from the complainant. Upon inquiry, it was established that he was involved in the incident. Based on this, he has been arrested yesterday. He was booked under sections 493, 417, 294, 506, 376, 323, 354, 420 and 34 of IPC. His wife Sangeeta is also a co-accused in the case,” said Satyabadi SDPO, Debadutta Baral.

The SDPO further said that Rout was earlier arrested by Pipili police for duping job aspirants. He had issued fake appointment letters to job seekers in lieu of money.