Police on Sunday arrested the nephew of Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena in connection with the alleged abetment to suicide of a 20-year-old student at a private engineering college in Ganjam district.
The accused, identified as 24-year-old Biswajit Jena, is alleged to have been in a relationship with the deceased, a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student at the same institution. The student was found hanging in her hostel room on Saturday.
According to police, a case was registered at Golanthara Police Station under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to abetment of suicide, following a complaint lodged by the deceased student's maternal uncle.
Confirming the arrest, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said an investigation was initiated immediately after the complaint was received. "Based on the report of the uncle of the deceased, a case was registered under Section 108 BNS against Biswajit Jena and an investigation was started," the SP said.
Senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police, visited the college hostel after the incident. A scientific team and an Executive Magistrate were also deputed to examine the scene. Investigators said the student had been residing in a room at the girls' hostel along with her sister and three other roommates.
During the course of the investigation, forensic experts collected digital and physical evidence from the hostel premises. Police also seized electronic devices belonging to both the deceased and the accused for detailed forensic and technical examination.
According to the complaint, Biswajit Jena was also enrolled as a BCA student at the same college. Police said the exact circumstances surrounding the student's death would become clearer after the post-mortem examination report is received.
"The woman student was found hanging from the ceiling of her hostel room. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after receipt of the post-mortem report. Investigation is continuing and appropriate action will be taken," the SP said.
Neither the Transport Minister nor members of the accused's family were immediately available for comment following the arrest.
The incident has also triggered political reactions, with opposition parties demanding swift action against the accused irrespective of his political connections. Former MLA Ramesh Chandra Ayyau Patnaik, who serves as the Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) Ganjam district president, welcomed the arrest and said the law should take its course without political interference. "The police must arrest the accused notwithstanding his relationship with the minister. The law must take its own course," Patnaik said before the arrest was made.
Rajeswari Dora, Deputy Chairperson of the Ganjam Zilla Parishad, also called for immediate action against the accused, who had been booked on charges of abetment to suicide.
Meanwhile, BJP's Ganjam district president Saroj Sabat said the matter was under investigation and police were carrying out the necessary legal procedures.
