Bhubaneswar: A 35-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly raping his tenant multiple times over several months under the pretext of marrying her. The accused, identified as a resident of the Niladri Vihar area, had rented out a portion of his house to the survivor, a woman in her late 20s.
Details of the Incident
According to the police, the accused promised to marry the survivor and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. The survivor, who worked as a private employee, had moved into the rented accommodation about six months ago. The accused allegedly took advantage of her vulnerable situation and continued the assaults.
The survivor finally mustered courage and filed a complaint at the Kharavel Nagar police station on Tuesday. Based on her statement, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Odisha Police Act. The accused was taken into custody on Wednesday and is being interrogated.
Investigation Underway
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bhubaneswar, Pratik Singh, confirmed the arrest and said that the investigation is ongoing. “We have collected evidence and will ensure that the accused is punished as per law. The survivor has been provided with necessary support,” he said.
The police have also recorded the survivor’s statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate to strengthen the case. Further investigation is underway to ascertain if the accused has any previous criminal record.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with residents expressing concern over the safety of women in rental accommodations. The police have urged women to report any such incidents without fear and assured strict action against perpetrators.
