Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagannath Pradhan on Wednesday surrendered before the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar, 3 days after the attack on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. Pradhan, named as the high accused in the case was arrested.
Earlier, a video of the assault gone viral online. The video confirmed Sahoo manhandled by a group of men. They abusing him in the BMC office premises. The officer grabbed by the collar of his shirt and dragged outside the building by them.
Jagannath Pradhan Surrendered Himself in bureaucrat assault case
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 movement in the case.
Before surrendering, Pradhan addressed the media and denied involvement in the incident. “I have already condemned the assault. I reiterate that I had no role in the attack. This appears to be a politically encouraged try to harm my recognition and goal the State Government,” he said.
BJP Spoke Against OAS Association
Jagannath Pradhan expressed the problem that the continuing protests by the OAS Association should disrupt flood comfort operations and upcoming fairs, which include the Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha. “If my arrest can treat the impasse, I am willing to cooperate completely with the investigation,” he said.
Pradhan reached the Bhubaneswar DCP office in the evening, accompanied by a set of supporters. Anticipating tensions, government stepped up protection on the premises. Following his arrest, his supporters staged a dharna in the DCP office and later blocked the road between Vani Vihar and Master Canteen as a mark of protest.
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