Odisha MLA ‘Dumps’ Rumoured Girlfriend, Applies For Registered Marriage In Court

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Tirtol, Bijay Shankar Das, who was in news for his alleged relationship with rumoured girlfriend Somalika Dash, reportedly submitted an application for registration of marriage with another woman at Marriage Registrar Office in Cuttack. In February this year, Jagatsinghpur police registered a case against the BJD MLA following a direction from the Orissa High Court, based on a complaint lodged by Somalika with whom he was allegedly in a relationship.

Despite the High Court’s intervention, the Jagatsinghpur police completed their formalities by registering a case against Das but didn’t take any action against him, so far. Opposition BJP and Congress staged protests demanding action against the ruling party MLA but in vain. The BJD, which always says ‘Maa ku Samman’ (respect to women), didn’t take any disciplinary action against the MLA either. The Tirtol legislator is yet to get a clean chit from the earlier complaint, filed by Somalika, in the court of law. In such a situation, it remains to be seen whether the Cuttack marriage registration office allows the MLA to get married to another woman.