Puri, May 19: A 33-year-old man was arrested by Samudrakula Police Station on charges of allegedly raping his girlfriend on the false promise of marriage. The accused, identified as Santosh Dalei of Hatiar village under Brahmagiri Police Station limits, will be produced before the court on Tuesday.

According to police, Santosh came in contact with a woman from the Brahmagiri area on April 11, 2020. Their friendship gradually turned into a relationship, and the two had reportedly decided to marry. In November 2025, Santosh allegedly brought the woman to Puri and kept her at a hotel on City Road, where he established physical relations with her after promising marriage.

Later, the woman came to know that Santosh’s marriage had allegedly been fixed elsewhere. Following a dispute, members of both families held discussions at a temple in Brahmagiri on December 1, 2025. During the meeting, Santosh reportedly refused to marry the woman and instead offered financial compensation.

Distressed over the development, the woman allegedly consumed poison in front of Santosh’s house on December 3 afternoon. She was later admitted in critical condition to the District Headquarters Hospital by the accused.

Based on a written complaint lodged by the woman on Sunday night, Samudrakula police registered a case and arrested Santosh.