Barsa Swony reunites with hubby

BHUBANESWAR: Curtains came down on the high profile marital dispute of Rajashree Mohanty and Barsa Swony, son and daughter-in-law of former BJD minister Raghunath Mohanty, with the estranged couple announcing their reunion on Wednesday.
Addressing a joint press conference, Rajashree and Barsa claimed that they have buried all bitterness and are ready to restart their conjugal life.Exchange of sweets and bouquets between the couple made it appear that all is well now.
But the 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 Barsa's parents. "My father will attend a party, scheduled to be held in Balasore soon. I and Barsa will be present in the party," said Rajashree.
The marital discord came into limelight when Barsa lodged a dowry torture complaint against Rajashree's family at Balasore Town police station on March 14, 2013. Raghunath was then a BJD heavyweight, and held the post of urban development minister. Barsa in her FIR alleged that Mohanty's family tortured her for demanding among other things Rs 25 lakh and a luxury vehicle. She had also accused her husband of having extra-marital affairs.
While Raghunath had to resign from the Naveen Patnaik ministry on March 15 following mounting attack by the opposition, his son Rajashree was arrested near Cuttack on March 17, 2013. Police arrested Raghunath and his wife from a place in Howrah, West Bengal, on March 30, 2013.
They were in judicial custody till APril 2, when they were granted bail. 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 judicial custody. Rajashree moved court, seeking divorce from Barsa. A few months ago, the court ordered Rajashree to pay her a monthly alimony of around Rs 25,000.
Rajashree and Barsa refused to speak the circumstances that led 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," said Barsa. While Barsa said she would file a compromise petition in court to settle the dispute, Rajashree said he would also follow suit.