Bhubaneswar: The Laxmisagar police on Saturday arrested five associates of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) corporator Amaresh Jena for allegedly helping him evade arrest after serious allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor were levelled against him.
A 19-year-old girl has filed a police complaint, accusing Jena of sexually exploiting her under the false promise of marriage. The case has been registered under Sections 64(2)(m), 89, 296, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
According to the complaint, the corporator, who is married, met the girl during a social event in June 2023, when she was still a minor. He allegedly gifted her mobile phone and gradually developed a relationship, promising to marry her after divorcing his wife.
The complainant further alleged that she became pregnant in February 2024, and that Jena coerced her into undergoing an abortion. In April, she was reportedly taken to Puri, where she claims she was abused and assaulted. The corporator also allegedly threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about the relationship, and told her to leave Bhubaneswar.
In a shocking development, the young woman has threatened to self-immolate if she is denied justice.
Following the complaint, police intensified their investigation and arrested five individuals for allegedly assisting Jena in evading law enforcement. After their bail pleas were rejected, the five accused were remanded to Jharapada jail.
The search for Amaresh Jena is ongoing, and Bhubaneswar police are under pressure to apprehend him amidst growing public concern and political scrutiny.
