Gram Panchayat employee arrested for exploiting SHG women in fake medical survey in Kendrapara

Kendrapara, Jul 26: A 25-year-old gram panchayat employee has been arrested for allegedly exploiting women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) in Kendrapara district by coercing them to expose and allow the filming of moles on intimate parts of their bodies under the false pretence of a government-backed medical documentation scheme.

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The accused, Somyaranjan Samal, served as a Master Book Keeper (MBK) within the SHG network and was responsible for maintaining financial records under the jurisdiction of the local gram panchayat. According to police sources, Samal misled around a dozen women by promising them ₹1,000 for each mole shown and recorded on video, claiming it was part of a legitimate health initiative.

The matter came to light when Kalpana Samal, president of the Ma Budhi Kankei SHG in Tentulikoli village under Rajkanika police limits, lodged a formal complaint on 7 June. The complaint followed concerns raised by multiple women regarding the questionable nature of the so-called “survey.”

Based on the complaint, police booked Somyaranjan Samal under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to acts intended to outrage the modesty of a woman. After the FIR was filed, the accused reportedly fled the village and remained absconding for over a month.

However, police tracked him down and arrested him on Friday from Chandanpur village in neighbouring Cuttack district, under Nemal police limits. He was later produced before the court, where his bail plea was rejected, and he was remanded to judicial custody.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with women’s rights groups and local leaders condemning the misuse of authority. They have demanded stricter monitoring mechanisms within SHG operations and called for more robust safeguards to prevent exploitation of women in vulnerable rural settings.

Authorities have assured a thorough investigation and stated that any official found complicit in the abuse of position would face stringent action.f