Man Accused Of Rape Marries Victim In Odisha Jail

Balasore: In a warped sense of justice, an undertrial prisoner, Bikash Das, accused of rape, married the victim at Balasore District Jail on Saturday. He is a resident of Khadikapada village in Baisinga police limits of Mayurbhanj district. The girl had lodged an FIR with Rupsa police station in December 2019.  She stated that Bikash raped her on the pretext of marriage. Later, he was arrested on December 7, 2019.

While he was in prison, the prison authorities asked the girl if she wished to marry him. She agreed.  Prasant Kumar Nanda, an advocate, said the girl’s family too agreed to the proposal. Later, permission was sought from the Special SC/ST Court for the marriage. The court then directed the prison officials to organise the wedding. The marriage took place according to Hindu rituals with the local sub-registrar, jail superintendent, legal counsel and family members of both Bikash and the girl present.

Bikash’s father Hrushikesh Das said the rape case against his son was filed due to a misunderstanding between the two families and now it has been sorted out.

The girl revealed that her family did not approve of her relationship with Bikash and she was forced to file the case against him. “I am glad that the marriage was solemnised with the consent of members of both families,” she said.