**Rourkela:** An Anganwadi worker has alleged that a political leader in Barasuan area of Odisha’s Sundergarh district barged into her house during her husband’s absence and raped at knifepoint.
The accused is identified as Bagun Gagarai (40) of Lahunipada by the victim.
“He shoved himself into my house at 4 am, in the wee hours of February 17 when my husband was out for campaigning. He raped me and threatened to oust me and my husband from job and kill my family if I reported the matter to the police or my husband. He again attempted on 19th during the day time but was not successful. He left terrorising me with the same threats,” informed the crying victim.
She had come to Rourkela Mahila Police to lodge a complaint.
According to the victim, the accused BJP leader had threatened her that he had close contacts with BJP leader and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, and the police won’t be able to harm him in any manner.
“Babun Gagarai is a very crooked person. He boasts himself as a big political leader in the locality and tries to intimidate all. He tried to misbehave with me once, but I had revolted back. He is not above law and should be punished for his misdeeds,” remarked her neighbour.
Initially, the victim was unable to gather courage to disclose the incident, but after getting support from her husband and neighbours, she came to lodge a complaint with the Rourkela Mahila police.
OMMCOM NEWS contacted Union Minister Jual Oram over telephone for his reactions.
He said, “If a person uses my name and does any sort of misdeed, then I cannot do anything about it. The police must take its course of action and punish the culprit.”
