Balasore, May 16: Accusing cops of inaction on her complaint, a 35-year-old woman forest guard reached the residence of the district superintendent of police at Sahadevkunta to commit suicide but timely intervention by the police nixed her plan.

The woman forest guard had accused her superior official, 52-year-old Ramachandra Behera, of sexually exploiting her for years on the promise of marriage. 

Behera has recently been transferred to Jharsuguda as range officer. 

His earlier posting was at Telkoi in Keonjhar. She has also alleged that Behera had tried to get her killed in the past.

Armed with petrol and a matchbox, the woman stood outside the police superintendent’s residence when cops nabbed and took her into custody. 

A petrol container and a matchbox were seized from the spot. 

A case has been registered against Behera, who is a father of two children. The police have also registered a case against her for attempting to commit suicide.

Nilgiri sub-divisional police officer Swapnaranjan Mahapatra said: “The woman forest guard alleged that Behera had sexually exploited her. She also accused Behera of trying to get her killed when she insisted on marriage.”

“Based on her complaint, a case has been registered under sections 376, (rape) 307 (attempt to murder) and 506 (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. Despite raids at various places, including Jharsuguda, Telkoi and Nilgiri, we are yet to trace him. The forest division at Jharsuguda was also not aware of his whereabouts. Efforts are on to nab him shortly,” Mahapatra said.

Sahadevkhunta police station inspector-in-charge Pragyan Mohanty said: “The woman was prevented from committing self-immolation outside the police superintendent’s residence and taken into custody. The container filled with petrol and a matchbox were seized from her possession.”

“She has been produced in court today after being booked under section 309 of the IPC (attempt to commit suicide),” he said.

The victim said she was taking the extreme step to protest against police inaction and lack of response to 
her complaint lodged on March 26.

Sources said the woman and the forester had been working together in the Jaleswar forest range since 2001. 

She had a disturbed marital life and soon the two developed intimacy.