Phulbani: Former BJD legislator from Phulbani Assembly constituency Debendra Kanhar allegedly molested a tribal woman at gun point after barging into her house around midnight on Sunday, a source in police said here on Monday.

Kanhar, who had represented the Phulbani Assembly seat from 2009 to 2014, had allegedly barged into the victim's house along with his driver. He allegedly molested and beat up her, according to the complaint lodged with the police.

The police have registered cases under sections 451 (house-trespass), 294 (obscene act), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354 (molestation) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code against Kanhar and his driver.

A senior police officer said: "The woman has suffered injuries and is undergoing treatment at hospital. Her statement is being recorded. The accused are absconding. A search is on to arrest Kanhar and his driver."