A Day After Girlfriend Files Police Complaint, Odisha MLA Says He Is Ready To Marry Her

Jagatsinghpur: Bijay Shankar Das, BJD MLA from Tirtol in Odisha, on Sunday said he was ready to marry his girlfriend Somalika Das, a day after the latter filed a police complaint accusing him of sexual harassment and running a sex racket.

Somalika had on Saturday lodged an FIR at Jagatsinghpur police station, accusing the MLA of sexual harassment, betrayal and cheating. She also alleged that he was running a sex racket to raise funds for his political activities.

Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Bijay refuted the allegations made by his girlfriend. “The allegations that I am operating a sex racket are absolutely false and baseless,” he said.

On the allegation of cheating, he said he had never denied to marry Somalika. “I have never said no to the marriage. In fact, I have announced it before the media and the public. So, the question of cheating does not arise,” he added.

On why he did not turn up at the office of the Sub-Registrar in Jagatsinghpur for registration of their marriage on June 17, he said he had sought more time due to his mother’s health condition.

Meanwhile, on the basis of complaint lodged by Somalika, the police have registered a case and started investigation. Besides the MLA, she has mentioned the names of six persons in her complaint.

She has alleged that the legislator engaged innocent girls in the sex trade and was using the money collected from the racket for election-related expenses.