Divyang school founder arrested in Odisha over woman’s death

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bolangir, Mar 24:

Local police on Thursday arrested the founder of a school for differently-abled in Odisha’s Bolangir two days after a woman’s body was found on the school’s premises under mysterious circumstances.

Police arrested the founder of BC Jena Memorial Seva Kendra – Bibhuti Bhusan Jena – for his alleged complicity in the case. Jena was on the run since the body was found under suspicious conditions.

Charred body of Nalini Pradhan, the woman caretaker, was found from a closed room on school campus at Patharchepa here on Tuesday.

Jena who is a government teacher was suspended earlier in the day as per the orders of District Collector.

While the incident has created resentment among the locals, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) Minati Behera today launched a probe into the mysterious death of the woman.

“The deceased was sexually exploited time and again by the founder of the institution. Jena is involved in the incident. He forcefully brought her from her house and sexually exploited her. We have already registered a case (95/16) and sent a report to Collector. The Collector and SP will also give us compliance reports. The Commission would take appropriate steps and ensure that the accused is put behind the bars,” Commissioner Minati Behera said.

The family members of the deceased alleged that the accused exploited her sexually on the pretext of giving her good pay hike and promotion.