Court asks police to probe rape charge against BJD MLA

Baripada: A court has directed police to inquire into a complaint of rape against a ruling BJD MLA and his associate in Odisha.

Janaki Rout, Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate, Udala in Mayurbhanj district, on Monday directed police to enquire into the alleged rape of a 35-year-old woman by BJD MLA Srinath Soren and his associate Swarup Das alias Bula.

In a complaint to the court, the woman from Talapadia village alleged that the MLA and his associate had raped her at his residence on January three when she demanded that he return Rs one lakh given to the legislator for getting a job.

The MLA denied the allegation and said it was a ploy by his opponents to tarnish his image ahead of elections.