Bhubaneswar, June 8, 2026
The Commissionerate Police on Monday arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting and blackmailing a 23-year-old woman after luring her with assurances of help in a possible police inquiry linked to an alleged job fraud case, Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena said.
The accused was identified as Himansu Samal, alias Jitu, of the Badachana Police Station area in Jajpur district.
As per the case details, the victim’s mother, who works as a cook in the Bharatpur area of Bhubaneswar, had allegedly paid Rs 30,000 to an unknown fraudster who had assured her of facilitating a job for her daughter. The fraudster, however, cheated the mother-daughter duo and did not fulfil the promise.
Speaking to the media, DCP Meena said such fraudsters often use victims’ bank accounts in their activities. He explained that the fraudster, who had also defrauded several others, transferred approximately Rs 2 lakhs from the fraud proceeds to the victim’s bank account.
Concerned about possible police action regarding the transfer, the victim and her mother later approached the accused, Jitu, who was known to them, seeking help.
The accused assured them that he would manage the situation if a police inquiry arose.
DCP Meena further stated that Jitu impersonated a Dhauli Police Station police official, used a cop’s photo as his profile picture, and called the victim from a different number on June 5. He told her that a complaint had been filed against them at Dhauli Police Station for job fraud and asked her to go there. Acting on his directions, the victim met Jitu at Dhauli on June 6.
Instead of taking her to the police station, he allegedly checked her into an OYO hotel under Pipili Police Station limits in Puri district.
Claiming he would meet police officials, Jitu went out and returned late at night. He persuaded her to stay overnight and then allegedly forced her to pose as his wife or girlfriend, recorded photos and videos, and sexually assaulted her against her will.
The next morning, he dropped her near her hostel and allegedly threatened and blackmailed her. Upon reaching her hostel, the victim narrated the incident to her mother, and the two subsequently approached Dhauli Police Station to lodge a formal complaint on June 7.
Police immediately swung into action and arrested the absconding accused from his hideout on Monday morning.(Agency)
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