Odisha MLA Bijay Shankar’s Former Fiancée Moves High Court Alleging Police Inaction On Her Complaint

Cuttack: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Bijay Shankar Das’ former fiancée Somalika Dash has moved Orissa High Court alleging inaction on the part of the police over the complaint filed by her against the legislator.

In her plea before the High Court, Somalika has alleged that investigation by the Jagatsinghpur Police into her complaint against the Tirtol MLA has not been made any progress because of inaction.

Apart from the MLA, she has also made the Director General of Police (DGP) and Home Secretary parties in the petition.

Somalika had earlier accused Bijay Shankar of betrayal and sexual harassment, filed the petition in the High Court on Tuesday.

In her complaint lodged at Jagatsinghpur Town police station on May 13 2022, the 29-year-old woman alleged that Bijay, son of late Bishnu Das, a former minister in the BJD government, had raped her many times. She further claimed that Bijay had threatened and abused on several occasions.

“He had promised to marry me but betrayed. Even when the case is sub-judice, he is planning to marry another girl and spoil her life. It seems that the law is in his favour, as police under pressure from ruling party leaders are playing with my fate,” Somalika stated after filing her objection against the marriage application at the sub-registrar office, recently.

In October 2023, Somalika had also moved the High Court seeking a stay on Bijay Shankar’s marriage registration with another woman.

According to sources, the BJD MLA had submitted an application for marriage registration in the office of the District Sub-Registrar (DSR) in Cuttack on September 21 and the marriage is scheduled for October 21.

Bijay submitted the application while a case pertaining to his alleged relationship with Somalika is still pending. After the MLA allegedly failed to turn up for marriage, Somalika had brought a series of allegations including rape charge against him. Bijay had also applied for marriage with Somalika at the sub-registrar’s office.

“He had promised to marry me but betrayed. Even when the case is sub-judice, he is planning to marry another girl and spoil her life. It seems that the law is in his favour, as police under pressure from ruling party leaders are playing with my fate,” Somalika had stated after filing her objection against the marriage application at the sub-registrar office.