Bhubaneswar, Oct 18: Somalika Dash, the former fiancée of Tirtol MLA Bijay Shankar Das, has petitioned the Orissa High Court to halt the registration of his marriage to another woman. In a move stemming from allegations of betrayal and sexual harassment, Somalika filed the petition with the High Court this Tuesday.

According to sources, the BJD MLA submitted a marriage registration application at the District Sub-Registrar's (DSR) office in Cuttack on September 21, with the marriage slated for October 21. Notably, this application was made while a legal case concerning his alleged relationship with Somalika remains pending. Following the MLA's alleged non-appearance for their wedding, Somalika made a series of accusations, including rape, against him. Interestingly, Bijay had also previously applied for marriage with Somalika at the sub-registrar's office.

In her complaint from May 13 last year, the 29-year-old woman asserted that Bijay, the son of the late Bishnu Das, a former minister in the BJD government, had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. She further claimed that Bijay had subjected her to threats and abuse on numerous instances.

"He had promised to marry me but betrayed me. Even as the case is pending in court, he is now planning to marry another woman and potentially ruin her life. It appears that the law may be working in his favor, possibly influenced by political pressure from ruling party leaders, and I believe this is a grave injustice," Somalika expressed after filing her objection to the marriage application at the sub-registrar's office, recently.

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