Harassment Case Against BJD MLA: Orissa HC Admits Woman’s Plea Over Police Probe

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has admitted a petition filed by woman BJD leader Sanjukta Mahal alleging improper investigation by Bhubaneswar Mahila Police into her complaint against Polasara MLA and former Labour Minister Srikant Sahu.

In the petition, Sanjukta alleged that the Bhubaneswar Mahila Police had not conducted proper probe on the basis of her allegations against the legislator.

Sanjukta in her police complaint had accused the lawmaker of torturing her physically and mentally while staying in a relationship with her for nine years.

Unhappy with the probe by Mahila police station, Sanjukta had later moved the High Court which held a hearing of the case on October 10 and scheduled the next hearing on November 1, her counsel Tathagat Sahu told media.

The HC has also directed the IIC concerned and the Commissioner of Police, seeking to know as to why the case was not taken as a cognizable offence.

Sahu claimed that the Bhubaneswar Mahila Police had registered a case two days after the complaint was filed by Sanjukta against the legislator. However, the Mahila Police registered the case under minor sections such as 294 and 507 of IPC to save the MLA because of political pressure. Though the complainant accused the legislator of mental and physical torture, the police did not consider it as a cognisable offence, he said.

It may be noted here that Sanjukta had lodged a complaint against the MLA in April, following which the BJD leader was reportedly asked to resign from the ministry. Later in August, she moved the Orissa High Court, seeking a direction to ensure proper investigation into her complaint.

Following admission of her petition by the HC, Sanjukta said she has full faith in the judiciary and expressed the hope that justice will be given to her. She further alleged that the former Minister has lodged a police complaint making false charges against her.

Notably, the 50-year-old MLA has lodged the complaint after receiving a WhatsApp message about a purported chat between Sanjukta, and one Bikash Behera, and sought their immediate arrest.  He alleged a conspiracy to eliminate him and his daughter.