Berhampur, April 9: Police today registered a rape case against former Sanakhemundi MLA Ramesh Jena following allegations by a 35-year-old woman.

"The woman, a widow, has lodged a rape complaint against Jena in Town police station yesterday. Based on that, we have registered a case against Jena. A lady inspector is investigating the case," said Berhampur police superintendent Ashis Singh.

The woman alleged that Jena used to forcibly extort money from her husband, who was into the bus transport business. She claimed that Jena had forced her into a physical relationship after the death of her husband in 2004. She also alleged that Bidhu Bishoyi, an aide of Jena, had videographed the act while Jena was raping her in 2013.

"After the death of my husband, I came to Berhampur to run his business from here. But Jena did not allow me to do that and forced me to sell all the buses. One day in 2013, Jena came to my house along with Bishoyi, while I was with my mother. He raped me and threatened to kill all my family members if I dared to disclose this to anyone. Despite his threats, I went to the Town police station. But, the police did not take my complaint. I had never felt so humiliated in my life. But, I was forced to remain silent as there was no way I could bring the culprit to book," said the victim.

The victim also narrated to newspersons another incident in the night of January 28 this year when Jena and his two aides reportedly barged into her house and forced her into "unnatural sex".

"Jena had even raised the volume of the television set in my room so that no one could hear my screams," she said.

"This time, too, I went to the police station with my mother to lodge a complaint. But, to no avail. Finally, I gathered courage to raise my voice against him after he was arrested," she said.

The Berhampur police superintendent said that he was not aware if the Town police station had denied to register complaints against Jena earlier and assured the victim that he would take action if any official was found guilty of not registering a rape complaint.

"We have also deployed a lady constable for the security of the victim from today. A police officer will also visit the victim's house regularly to ensure her safety," said Singh.

Some 17 cases, including those of extortion and murder, have been registered against Jena since he was arrested last month.