BJP's Jagannath Pradhan arrested in connection with assault on Odisha bureaucrat

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan has been arrested in connection with the Odisha bureaucrat assault case. Earlier, a video of the assault had gone viral online which showed Sahoo being manhandled by a group of men.

In Short

• BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan surrendered to Bhubaneswar Police
• Video of assault showing Sahoo being manhandled went viral
• Pradhan contested 2024 Bhubaneswar Central Assembly seat

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagannath Pradhan on Wednesday surrendered before the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar, three days after the assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. Pradhan, named as the prime accused in the case, was subsequently arrested.

Earlier, a video of the assault had gone viral online. The video showed Sahoo being manhandled by a group of men, who were heard abusing him while assaulting him inside the BMC office premises. The officer was also grabbed by the collar of his shirt and dragged outside the building by unidentified individuals.

Pradhan, who contested unsuccessfully for the Bhubaneswar (Central) Assembly constituency in the 2024 General Elections, was named in the FIR lodged by Sahoo. He then surrendered amid pressure from the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association, which had demanded action in the case.

Before surrendering, Pradhan addressed the media and denied involvement in the incident. "I have already condemned the attack. I reiterate that I had no role in the assault. This seems to be a politically motivated attempt to damage my reputation and target the State Government," he said.

He also expressed concern that the ongoing protests by the OAS Association could disrupt flood relief operations and upcoming festivals such as the Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha. "If my arrest can help resolve the deadlock, I am willing to cooperate fully with the investigation," he added.

Pradhan reached the Bhubaneswar DCP office in the evening, accompanied by a group of supporters. Anticipating tensions, authorities stepped up security at the premises. Following his arrest, his supporters staged a dharna inside the DCP office and later blocked the road between Vani Vihar and Master Canteen as a mark of protest.

The arrested BJP leader was taken to Capital Hospital for a routine medical check-up following his detention. Following this, the total number of people arrested in the case is now six.

Earlier, five individuals - Sanjeev Mishra, Sachikanta Swain, Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Ranjan Mahapatra, and Debasish Pradhan - were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the attack on Sahoo.

The Odisha BJP unit also suspended all five of the arrested party workers. Those suspended include Corporator Aparup Narayan Rout alias Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Ranjan Mahapatra, Debasish Pradhan, Sachikanta Swain and Sanjeev Mishra.

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