Mahanga viral audio case: BJD suspends former Panchayat Samiti chairman Sarat Nayak

Cuttack: Former chairman of Mahanga panchayat samiti Sarat Nayak was suspended today from the primary membership of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), an official order undersigned by Cuttack district president Debashish Samantaray mentioned.

This comes a day after an audio clip purportedly involving the now-suspended leader went viral and was reported by the media.

Worth mentioning, a girl student in Mahanga panchayat of Cuttack was found dead under mysterious circumstances on June 16. It is alleged that the body was disposed of without obtaining a post-mortem certificate.

The mystery shrouding her death deepened as the audio of a telephonic conversation between the former chairman and the mother of a physical education teacher (PET) of the school went viral on social media. In the audio clip, Nayak was demanding Rs 70, 000 from the woman to hush up the matter and the said amount was supposed to be given to police personnel and local journalists.

The girl was in a relationship with the PET. She died by suicide after her family members came to know about the affair, locals alleged.

Nayak was further heard saying to the teacher’s mother that the girl’s body was cremated and later immersed in a river to put a lid on the matter.

Following the development, police today went to the house of the PET and questioned him and his mother.

On the other hand, the State Commission for Women today registered a suo motu case in the matter.

The commission also sought a report in this regard from Cuttack SP (Rural) within 15 days.