TNI Bureau: The death of a college student, who allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room at a private educational institution near Berhampur, has sparked a political controversy in Odisha, with the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) demanding the immediate arrest of the prime accused, Bishwajit Jena, who is reportedly the nephew of state minister Bibhuti Jena.

Addressing a press conference organised by the BJD’s Gopalpur Assembly constituency unit on Sunday, senior party leaders questioned the pace and impartiality of the police investigation and sought a judicial probe into the incident. They alleged that the accused’s political connections could influence the course of the investigation.

Senior BJD leader Chandra Sekhar Sahu claimed that the deceased student, Smruti, had been in a relationship with Jena for the past four years and was allegedly two months pregnant at the time of her death. He alleged that despite a complaint lodged by the victim’s family, police action had been delayed.

“The delay in arresting the accused has created an impression that the investigation is under pressure. When the family has named the person they hold responsible, the inaction raises serious questions,” Sahu said.

Former Minister Srikant Sahu alleged that the victim’s family was living in fear and warned that the BJD would intensify its agitation if justice was denied. Senior leader Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik demanded a judicial inquiry and compensation for the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M. said police have registered a case against Bishwajit Jena under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He informed that Jena is being interrogated and that investigators have seized the deceased student’s laptop and mobile phone, besides collecting CCTV footage from the hostel as part of the probe.

Ganjam Zilla Parishad Vice-Chairperson Rajeshwari Dora also called for a fair and transparent investigation into all aspects of the case, including the circumstances surrounding the post-mortem examination.