Odisha woman alleges rape by office colleagues

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 20:

A woman employee of the block development officer’s office of Jhumpura in Odisha’s Keonjhar district today leveled serious charges of rape and blackmail against two of her male colleagues.

The matter came to light after the victim lodged a complaint with the district Superintendent of Police today, police said.

Police said the victim in her complaint has alleged that Bibekananda Pradhan, a Junior Engineer (JE) and Ramachandra Mahanta, a Village Level Worker (VLW) had raped her in the block office premises.

The victim has further alleged that the duo had video-graphed the act and had been repeatedly raping her by blackmailing her to make the video clip public.

“I have been raped by Jhumpura Block JE Bibekananda Pradhan and VLW Ramachandra Mahanta. They had given me a cold drink laced with a sedative to drink. While I had lost my consciousness due to the effect of the sedative they had raped me.  They have shot a video of the act. Since then they have been raping me repeatedly threatening to make the video public,” said the victim speaking to reporters here at the SP office.

The victim  her complaint has threatened to commit suicide if early justice is denied to her.

Taking the matter seriously, Keonjhar SP Kavita Jalan assured the victim that action will be taken against the culprits after inquiry.

“I have asked the concerned police station to register the FIR. We will provide her with police protection if she needs. A district level officer will conduct an inquiry into the complaint and appropriate action will be taken against the accused,” said Kavita Jalan briefing reporters here.