Harassment slur against BJD MLA: Orissa High Court admits complainant Sanjukta's plea 

The Orissa High Court on Thursday admitted a petition moved by Sanjukta Mahala, a woman BJD leader of Ganjam district, over the investigation by the Mahila Police into her allegations against former Labour Minister and Polasara legislator, Srikant Sahu. 

In the petition, Sanjukta alleged that the Bhubaneswar Mahila Police had not properly conducted its investigation on the basis of her allegations against Sahu. On July 10, 2023, Sanjukta accused the MLA of torturing her physically and mentally while staying in a relationship with her for nine years. She had filed a complaint in this regard against the MLA on the same day at the Mahila Police Station.

Days later, Sanjukta alleged that the Mahila Police was not looking into the matter properly. Upset over the police investigation, she had moved the High Court which held a hearing of the case on October 10 and scheduled the next hearing on November 1. The court has also directed the IIC concerned and the Commissioner of Police, seeking to know why the case was not taken as a cognizable offence.  

Speaking to media, Tathagata Sahu, the counsel of Sanjukta Mahala said, "Bhubaneswar Mahila Police had registered a case on July 12, 2023, following a complaint filed by Sanjukta against the legislator on July 10. However, the Mahila Police registered the case under minor sections such as 294 and 507 of IPC just to save the MLA owing to political pressure. Though the complainant accused the legislator of mental and physical torture, the police did not consider it as a cognizable offence." 

He further added that the court will hold the next hearing of the case on November 1.