A 45-year-old man was arrested in Bhubaneswar on charges of repeatedly raping his 28-year-old female tenant, police said on Monday. The accused, identified as Manas Ranjan Patra, a resident of the Patia area, was taken into custody after the victim lodged a complaint at the local police station.
Details of the Incident
According to the police, the victim had been living as a tenant in Patra's house for the past six months. Patra allegedly took advantage of her vulnerability and raped her multiple times under the pretext of helping her with household chores and other favors. The victim, who works as a domestic help, was threatened by the accused to keep silent about the incidents.
Victim's Complaint and Police Action
The victim finally gathered courage and approached the police on Sunday, filing a complaint against Patra. Based on her statement, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape and criminal intimidation. Police immediately launched an investigation and arrested Patra on Monday morning.
Accused's Background
Manas Ranjan Patra is a married man with two children. He runs a small grocery shop in the locality. Preliminary investigations reveal that he had been harassing the victim for several months, and the repeated assaults occurred when his wife and children were away from home.
Medical Examination and Further Investigation
The victim was sent for a medical examination, and her statement was recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a magistrate. Police are also probing whether Patra had any previous complaints of similar nature against him. The accused will be produced in court on Tuesday, and police are seeking his custody for further interrogation.
Community Reaction
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community. Neighbors expressed outrage and demanded strict punishment for the accused. Women's rights activists have also condemned the incident and called for better safety measures for tenants, especially women living alone.
Police have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and all necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice for the victim.
