BJD’s Lekhashree Samantsinghar Files Complaint Against BJP MLA Santosh Khatua Over Derogatory Remarks

Bhubaneswar, July 4 : — Biju Janata Dal (BJD) General Secretary and spokesperson Lekhashree Samantsinghar on Thursday lodged a formal complaint against BJP MLA from Nilagiri, Santosh Khatua, for allegedly making derogatory, sexually offensive remarks against her, which she said amounted to outraging the modesty of a woman in public.

The complaint was filed at the Mahila Police Station in Bhubaneswar, where Samantsinghar requested the Inspector-in-Charge to treat it as a First Information Report (FIR) and immediately begin an investigation. In her complaint, the senior BJD leader alleged that MLA Khatua had referred to her using deeply offensive language, even portraying her as a prostitute and the kingpin of a sex racket.

Calling the remarks a gross violation of her dignity, Samantsinghar demanded the registration of an FIR and the immediate arrest of the BJP legislator. She claimed that the comments were not just a personal attack, but an insult to every woman in Odisha and across the country, especially women involved in politics.

“These vulgar and indecent remarks are not only defamatory but also an affront to all women, regardless of political affiliation,” she said. A video clip of Khatua’s offensive statement was submitted along with the complaint.

Samantsinghar also mentioned that she had previously raised concerns regarding Khatua’s alleged involvement in elephant poaching activities in Nilagiri, accusing him of harboring the accused at his farmhouse. She believes the MLA’s remarks were a deliberate and retaliatory attempt to malign her character and tarnish her public image.

The BJD leader concluded that the statements made by Khatua amount to a cognizable offence under the law and urged the police to take swift and appropriate legal action to uphold the dignity and rights of women in public life.