Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) corporator Amaresh Jena, also known as Bayan, was arrested on Sunday from the Nilagiri area of Balasore district by the Commissionerate Police. Jena had been absconding since a rape case was registered against him at the Laxmisagar police station in Bhubaneswar.
The case against Shri Jena stems from a complaint filed by a 19-year-old girl who alleged that he maintained a physical relationship with her since September 2023, under the promise of marriage. She claims she was a minor when the relationship began in June 2023, after they met during Raja festivities.
The complainant further alleged that she had to abort a two-month-old pregnancy in February of last year, with Shri Jena reportedly convincing her to do so by promising to divorce his wife and marry her. She accused Shri Jena of starting to avoid her since April and threatening to kill her if she did not leave Bhubaneswar. The girl had threatened self-immolation if no action was taken on her complaint.
Police sources confirmed that the medical examination of the girl had already been conducted, and further investigation into the case is ongoing.
Shri Jena has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 64(2)(m) (repeated rape), 89 (causing miscarriage without the woman’s consent), 296 (obscene acts in public), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation), as well as Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act (aggravated sexual assault of a minor).
Earlier, on Saturday midnight, police had arrested five individuals for allegedly harboring Jena and assisting him in evading apprehension by providing conveyance.
Following his arrest, the BJD has announced the suspension of Amaresh Jena. Jena, however, has denied the allegations, stating they are “completely false” and part of a “conspiracy to frame” him.