BJD Corporator Amaresh Jena arrested in rape case involving minor; timeline reveals pattern of alleged abuse and evasion

Amaresh Jena, a corporator from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), was arrested on Sunday from Nilagiri in Balasore district in connection with grave allegations of sexual assault against a minor.

The arrest comes five days after a complaint was filed against him at the Laxmisagar police station in Bhubaneswar, prompting a multi-district manhunt by the Commissionerate Police.

The charges include rape, forced miscarriage, obscenity, and criminal intimidation under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Jena has since been suspended from the BJD’s primary membership.

Allegations Against Jena

According to the complaint, the survivor was 17 years old when the physical relationship began. She alleged that Jena took her to Puri and later, in February 2024, forced her to terminate a two-month pregnancy by administering pills without medical supervision.

The survivor further alleged that Jena threatened her against revealing the matter, using his political influence to intimidate her into silence.

Timeline of Events

The chain of events began in February 2024, when the survivor was allegedly forced to undergo an abortion at the age of 17 after being impregnated by Jena.

The incident remained unreported until July 24, 2025, when the survivor filed a formal complaint at the Laxmisagar police station in Bhubaneswar, accusing the BJD corporator of rape, forced miscarriage, and criminal intimidation.

Following the complaint, a statewide manhunt was launched on July 25 and 26, with the Commissionerate Police forming multiple special teams to locate Jena, who had gone into hiding.

The operation intensified further when, on the morning of July 27, police arrested five individuals from Khordha and Jagatsinghpur for allegedly harbouring the absconding corporator.

Later that same evening, Jena was tracked down and arrested in Nilagiri in Balasore district. He was taken into custody and brought to Bhubaneswar for interrogation. On July 28, police are slated to initiate formal legal proceedings.

Jena is currently in the custody of Laxmisagar police and is expected to be produced before the court following due procedure tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the survivor has undergone a medical examination, and her statement has been recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Political Fallout

The arrest has triggered swift political consequences. The Biju Janata Dal suspended Jena from the party's primary membership soon after his detention was confirmed.  Although Jena had claimed innocence in a statement to local media while in hiding, the party has distanced itself from his conduct pending legal outcomes.

“Amaresh Jena, Corporator, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, is hereby suspended from Biju Janata Dal with immediate effect,” stated a press release from the BJD.

BJD leader Ashok Panda stated that the party has zero tolerance for crime and that Amaresh Jena will have to face action for his crimes.

“We have a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to matters like this. I had assured people that if he (Amaresh Jena) is found guilty, he will be dealt with strictly. Accordingly, we have suspended him from the BJD effective immediately,” he said.