The Odisha Police on Sunday arrested Biju Janata Dal (BJD) corporator Amaresh Jena in connection with an alleged rape case lodged against him recently.
Jena, a key face of the BJD in Bhubaneswar, was apprehended from Nilagiri in Balasore district following raids after remaining absconding for days, police said. On Saturday, the police also arrested five of his associates for allegedly harbouring the accused person.
On July 23, Jena was booked under sections 64 (2) (rape), 89 (causing miscarriage without the woman’s consent), 296 (obscene act) and 352 (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The complainant, a 19-year-old, accused Jena of sexual misconduct since September 2023 after promising to marry her and divorcing his wife. She was a minor at that time.
She also alleged that she had gotten pregnant and that Jena coerced her into an abortion two months later in February 2024 and threatened her harm if she goes for any legal action.
Meanwhile, the BJD suspended Jena from the party.
