Bhubaneswar: The family members of an Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur have reportedly accepted his tribal partner, whom he had allegedly deserted after qualifying for the civil service examination about three months ago.
The incident involves OAS officer Albert Hansda. The woman, a native of Keonjhar, had accused Hansda of cheating. She had alleged that the officer had even forced her to terminate her pregnancy.
However, now the officer’s family members have agreed to bring the woman home.
According to reports, the family has taken the decision after considering the woman’s statement at the local police station.
Earlier, police and social organizations had intervened and put pressure on Hansda’s family, seeking an amicable settlement. Hansda’s parents have now agreed to accept the woman and promised to get their son married to her once he completes his OAS training. “The families were not aware of this liaison. We have decided to take her home on the basis of her claim and both families will discuss and sort it out. She has addressed me as father-in-law,” the OAS trainee’s father, Ganeswar Hansda, told the media.
The woman had lodged a complaint at Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station, alleging that Hansda had secretly married her but later abandoned her after qualifying for the civil service exam. She claimed that they have been in a relationship since studying in Class VI.
“She insisted on court marriage before going to her in-law’s place. Hansda’s family, however, said that they would follow the Santhal tradition and since they were already married, she then agreed to accompany them. She has also sought to speak to Hansda over phone,” Rajashree Mishra, activist.
