Former BJD minister's son, daughter-in-law reunite

BHUBANESWAR: Curtains came down on the high profile marital dispute between Rajashree Mohanty and Barsa Swony, son and daughter-in-law of former BJD minister Raghunath Mohanty, with the estranged couple announcing their unexpected reunion on Wednesday.

In a surprise announcement at a joint press conference here, Rajashree and Barsa claimed they buried all bitterness and are ready to restart their conjugal life afresh. Exchange of sweets and bouquet between the couple made it appear that all is well now.

But absence of Raghunath Mohanty raised many eyebrows. Though the couple claimed they have been united after consulting their families, the ceremony was attended only by the parents of Barsa. “My father will attend a party, scheduled to be held in Balasore soon. I and Barsa will remain present in the party,” Rajashree told TOI. Despite repeated attempts, Raghunath was not available for comment.

The couple’s marital discord hogged limelight as Raghunath was then a BJD heavyweight and held the post of urban development minister when Barsa lodged a dowry torture complaint against Rajashree’s family at Balasore Town police station on March 14, 2013. Barsa in her FIR alleged that Mohanty's family tortured her demanding among other things Rs 25 lakh and a luxury vehicle. She had also accused her husband of having extra-marital relations.

While Raghunath had to resign from Naveen Patnaik ministry on March 15 following mounting attack by opposition parties, his son Rajashree was arrested near Cuttack on March 17, 2013. The police arrested Raghunath and his wife from a place at Howrah in West Bengal on March 30, 2013 and sent them to judicial custody. The couple was granted bail on April 2. The marital discord ruined the political career of Raghunath, who had been MLA from Basta for five consecutive terms since 1990.

Schism between the couple was further widened after the Mohanty family was sent to the judicial custody. Rajashree moved the court, seeking divorce from Barsa. A few months ago, the court ordered Rajashree to pay her monthly alimony of nearly Rs 25,000.

Rajashree and Barsa refused to speak the circumstances leading to their reunion. Rajashree even refused to comment when asked whether the move is aimed at reviving the political career of his father.

“We want to give credit to senior journalist Pradosh Pattnaik, who started the initiative a few months back, to reunite us. Both the families sat together several times for the reconciliation. My husband is my biggest strength,” Barsa said. While Barsa said she would file a compromise petition in court to settle the dispute, Rajashree said he would also follow-suit.