Rape complaint against ex-Odisha MLA Ramesh Jena

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Berhampur, Apr 9:

After over a dozen criminal cases were registered against former Sanakhemundi Congress MLA Ramesh Jena, a woman has filed a complaint of rape, blackmailing, and intimidation against the strongman in Odisha’s Berhampur yesterday.

A widow from Gandhi Nagar area here lodged a complaint with the Town Police yesterday following which police have begun an investigation into the matter.

“A widow has alleged that Ramesh Jena and one of his associates Bidu Bisoyi have done immoral acts with her continuously and also have filmed it. They were troubling her since last two years. It is unfortunate. Definitely, the law will take its own course and expect that justice will be done,” Berhampur SP Ashish Singh said.

Speaking to media, the woman said that Ramesh Jena and his associates were extorting money from her husband who was into transport and liquor business. Out of fear, he was giving money to him. Following her husband’s death in 2004 due to cerebral malaria, she took over the business and tried to manage the bus business. However, the goons of Ramesh Jena did not allow her to operate the business. She then shifted to her parent’s place here with her children and restarted her business. Again, the men of former MLA put hurdles on her way, she claimed.

In 2013, Ramesh Jena and his associate Bidu Bisoyi came to my house and Jena raped me. When I told him that I would reveal it, he threatened to eliminate my entire family. Despite this, I approached the police which did not lend an ear to my allegations. I kept mum as I didn’t get any support, she said.

After three-four months of the incident, he (Ramesh Jena) again came to my house with Bidu Bisoyi. When I objected to his advances, he showed me video clippings and blackmailed me that he would circulate it. This January also, he came to my house and raped me. He has done this for around 7-8 times, she alleged.

I had told my mother that I would commit suicide if I don’t file a complaint. I mustered the courage to file a complaint after I saw that he has been arrested, she expressed.

An FIR (case No 59) has been lodged in this connection with the Town Police here. A case under section 377 has also been registered.

On the other hand, the Sadar Police today took arrested former Sanakhemundi Congress MLA Ramesh Jena on a five-day remand for further interrogation into Nimakhandi land grab case.

Earlier on April 2, police had registered land grab case against Ramesh Jena, his father Arakhita Jena, former Berhmapur Municipal Corporation (BMC) Corporator R Murali Mohan and Buna Sahu for forcibly taking possession of a land in Nimakhandi area in the city.