MLA suspended on rape charge

BHUBANESWAR: With a case of rape filed against him, the Congress MLA from Bijepur Subala Sahu district was on Thursday suspended from the party which ordered a probe into the episode.

Sahu, who represents Bijepur in Bargarh district, was placed under suspension by Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee President Jayadeve Jena with immediate effect, OPCC General Secretary Samir Kumar Routray said.

Police registered a case of rape under Sections 376 and 506 of IPC against Sahu.

A committee of inquiry has been instituted to investigate into the allegations and the final decision of disciplinary proceedings would be taken up on its findings.

According to the complaint against the MLA made by a 35-year-old woman at Barpali police station in Baragarh district, she was first ''raped'' in December 2006 at the MLA Colony in Bhubenswar. Subsequnely, she was ''raped'' at different places, according to the complainant.

The woman, who claimed she had kept silent initially due to fear, said in her statement recorded with police that she was a friend of the MLA's wife and brought to the state capital on the promise of a job by the legislator.
    
Denying the allegation, Sahu claimed that the complaint was made with political motive. "I am ready to face any kind of investigation", he asserted.