Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police today arrested a man on charges of raping a 23-year-old woman in a hotel under Pipili police limits in Odisha's Puri district after allegedly luring her there on the pretext of resolving a police-related matter.

The accused, identified as Jitu Samal, was arrested after the woman lodged a complaint at the Dhauli Police Station on June 7.

According to police, the victim's mother, who works as a cook in the Bharatpur area of Bhubaneswar, was acquainted with Samal and had earlier shared his mobile number with her daughter for assistance in case of emergencies.

The case stemmed from a financial transaction linked to a job arrangement. Police said the victim's mother had allegedly paid Rs 30,000 to an individual for securing employment. Later, an amount of around Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh was deposited into the complainant's bank account. Concerned about the unexplained credits, the family contacted Samal, who allegedly assured them that he would manage the situation if any police inquiry arose.

On June 5, the complainant received a call from an unknown number, but couldn't answer. After checking the number on Truecaller and noticing the display picture of a police officer, she informed Samal. He told her that the call had come from Dhauli Police Station and asked her to meet him.

Acting on his advice, the woman travelled from Jayadev Vihar to Dhauli on June 6. Instead of taking her to the police station, he took her to Hotel Dhauli Palace located within Pipili police limits.

The woman alleged that after checking into the hotel in the evening, Samal left briefly, claiming he was going to Dhauli Police Station, and later returned. He informed her that they would meet an Assistant Sub-Inspector the following morning and persuaded her to stay overnight despite her request to return to her hostel.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that during the night, Samal asked her to pose as his wife or girlfriend and forced her to take photographs and videos portraying them as a couple. She further alleged that he raped her and threatened her with adverse consequences when she tried to leave.

Police said the woman remained in fear and informed her mother that she was staying at her hostel. The following morning, Samal allegedly dropped her off near the hostel and collected the contact numbers of her family members.

The complainant further alleged that Samal later threatened her not to disclose the incident. After returning to her hostel on June 7, she narrated the incident to her mother and subsequently approached the police.

Although the alleged offence occurred within the jurisdiction of Pipili Police Station, Commissionerate Police registered the FIR at Dhauli Police Station, considering the sensitivity and urgency of the matter.

Following the registration of the case, Dhauli police launched an investigation and arrested the accused. Further investigation is underway.