Rape accused marries victim in Odisha jail

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bonai, Feb 4:

It is said marriages are made in heaven and solemnized on earth. But, no one would have imagined in his remotest of imagination that he would get married inside jail premises. Such an incident has occurred in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.

A rape accused, cooling heels behind the bars, married the victim inside Bonal sub jail yesterday in the presence of officials and family members from both sides.

The under-trial rape accused Pramod Patra lodged in Bonai sub jail took the marital vows in the presence of Marriage Officer Saroj Kumar Pruseth, Public Prosecutor Kailash Chandra Pradhan, senior advocate Binay Kumar Das, Jailer Birendra Mahali, prison officials and kin from both sides.

As per the reports, the victim from Kudaikala village under Lahunipada police limits was allegedly raped by the accused in July last year. She had been to Talita village under Bonai police limits to attend the marriage ceremony. While she had gone to attend to nature’s call, she was allegedly raped by the accused.

She narrated her ordeal to the people present in the ceremony following which the accused apologized besides making a commitment to marry her. However, he reneged on his promised.

The girl lodged a complaint with the Bonai police, three days later leading to his arrest.

He has been behind bars since his bail plea was rejected.

Later, the families chalked out a compromise formula and decided to marry them off. Subsequently, they applied to IG (prisons) and District Collector seeking their approval.

While the marriage was solemnized after following the legal procedure, the union of the couple would be a delayed affair till the court delivers its verdict.