Odisha: Jajpur administration to demolish ‘Rangasala’ where VLW Smitarani died

Jajpur: The district administration has decided to carry out demolition of the guesthouse ‘Rangasala’, owned by Rupesh Bhadra, husband of Haridaspur sarpanch Madhusmita Bhadra as it has been built on a government land. Last week woman Village Level Worker (VLW) Smitarani Biswal was found hanging in a room of the guesthouse located in Haridaspur following which charges were levelled that the building is located on a government land. The administration ordered a probe and found the allegations to be true.

Speaking to media persons, Jajpur Collector Ranjan Kumar Das today said, “The Tehsildar and Additional Tehsildar undertook spot verification and found that the guesthouse was constructed on a patch of government land. The eviction order has been already given.”

Das further said as the police inquiry is on into the VLW death case and investigators feel that there are substantial evidence are present in the guesthouse, suggestions has been sought from the Jajpur SP on its demolition. “Further action in connection with the eviction will be taken after getting a feedback,” the Collector said.

However, the district administration has imposed restrictions on entry of anyone into the guesthouse and clamped a Section 144 around the building.

On October 16, the woman VLW worker reportedly ended her life at Rupesh’s guesthouse following a verbal duel with him. Later Rupesh was arrested on charges of abetting the woman VLW worker’s suicide.