Daijiworld Media Network - Ganjam

Ganjam, Jun 22: Police have arrested the nephew of Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman student at a private engineering college in Ganjam district.

The accused, identified as 24-year-old Biswajit Jena, was arrested on charges of abetment to suicide, a police officer said.

The deceased student, who was pursuing Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), was found hanging inside her hostel room on Saturday. She was staying in the room along with her sister and three other roommates.

Superintendent of Police, Berhampur, Saravana Vivek said a case was registered at Golanthara police station based on a complaint filed by the student’s maternal uncle. The complaint named Biswajit Jena, who was also a BCA student at the same college and was allegedly in a relationship with the deceased.

Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and registered a case under the charge of abetment of suicide.

Senior police officials, including the SP, visited the spot, while a scientific team and an executive magistrate also carried out an examination of the scene.

The SP said the exact reason behind the student’s death would be confirmed after receiving the post-mortem report.

“Investigation is underway and appropriate action will be taken,” Saravana Vivek said.

The minister, the accused and their family members were not available for comments on the matter.

Meanwhile, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) demanded immediate arrest of the accused, stating that the law should take its course irrespective of his connection with the minister.

“The police must arrest the accused, notwithstanding his relationship with the minister. The law must take its own course,” said former MLA Ramesh Chandra Ayyau Patnaik, BJD’s Ganjam district president.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Ganjam district president Saroj Sabat said police were investigating the case.