Top Odisha fire official arrested for illicit affair and physical abuse of ‘girlfriend’

A senior fire department official in Odisha’s Rayagada district was arrested on Sunday following allegations of illicit relationship and physical abuse.

Ramesh Chandra Behera, Additional Fire Officer (AFO) of Rayagada district, has been arrested by Town Police on charges of maintaining an illicit relationship with a woman and subjecting her to physical abuse.

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The matter surfaced after the woman lodged an FIR with Town Police, prompting immediate probe and arrest. In her written complaint, the woman has detailed long-term exploitation and recent acts of violence.

Allegedly, the officer had been in a prolonged extramarital relationship with the woman. Recently, she accused him of inflicting physical torture, following which she approached the police for legal action.

After verifying the complaint and conducting an initial investigation, police have arrested Behera and produced him in a local court later in the day, the sources added.

No statements from the police have been released yet regarding the incident. No comments were received from the fire officer in this regard.

Fire Services Department has not ascertained any ongoing departmental inquiry.

In another incident earlier in the day, a man allegedly murdered his wife and later dumped her body under a bridge at Joda village under Gurundia block in Sundargarh district. The deceased’s body was found packed in large sack.

The deceased has been identified as Jayanti Kujur, an Anganwadi worker in the village. Her husband, Laxman Oram, is accused of committing the murder.