BHUBANESWAR:Senior bureaucrat Taradatt appears to be on a rough turf with his wife Indulata Das pressing charges of “moral turpitude” against him on Tuesday.
Indulata, who had filed a petition with the State Commission for Women (SCW) several months ago alleging that her husband Taradatt was in close connection with a Delhi-based lady officer, chose to bare it all for the first time while talking to the media. An issue she raised almost eight months ago made little progress in spite of her knocking the doors of the State Commission for Women (SCW) and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Apparently, not pleased with the slow progress to her complaint with the SCW, she was vocal for the first time before mediapersons who confronted her at the SCW office, which she visited to ascertain the development.
Speaking to mediapersons, Indulata said she was actually traumatised on discovering her husband’s “moral misconduct”. She said when she raised objection to the alleged relationship, she was subjected to “mental harassment” by her husband. She preferred to live separately, apprehending danger to her life.
“I have come here to seek justice from the commission. If my husband is guilty, he should be punished. If he is innocent, I will be the happiest person and make atonement for my mistake and return to him with humility,” she said.
She, however, alleged that attempts were being made to paint her as mentally imbalanced. “Do I appear like a psychiatric patient? Am I under medication, or visiting a psychiatrist for consultation? Evidence should be provided to prove that I am mentally ill,” she demanded.
The 1983 batch IAS officer’s wife had in December last year submitted a petition to the Chief Minister. The matter created a furore in the Assembly in March this year when Opposition Congress members sought reply from the CM on the issue.
She had also filed an RTI application with the GA department, which is headed by the CM, in March, seeking to know about the progress in her case.
SCW Chairperson Lopamudra Buxipatra said the allegations will be probed. At the same time, efforts are on to bring about reconciliation between the couple.
“We are already conducting counselling sessions for both, individually as well as jointly. So far, two sessions have been held and further attempts will be made. If there is still no sign of rapprochement, we will proceed after taking legal opinion”, she said.
She, however, refused to divulge the progress SCW has made on Indulata’s complaint and whether there exists prima facie case.
Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact Taradatt for his version failed. His mobile numbers elicited no response and his residential landline, though answered, told this paper that he will not be available for at least one month.