More than ten days after the shocking incident involving the alleged illegal confinement and harassment of Byasanagar Municipality Executive Officer (EO) Pradeep Kumar Padhi, outrage continues to mount in Odisha’s Jajpur district.
As police inaction draws sharp criticism, the state’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has finally spoken out, promising accountability and legal action.
According to official complaints filed with the Jajpur District Collector, a group of councillors allegedly affiliated with the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) confined EO Padhi inside his office for nearly eight hours. During this time, they reportedly threatened him, denied him medication, and coerced him into signing documents under pressure.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, no arrests have been made, sparking allegations of political protection for the accused.
Speaking for the first time since the incident, Minister Harichandan emphasized that the government takes the rule of law seriously.
“This government does not shield anyone. Anyone found guilty of disturbing peace will face strict action,” he stated.
He further added that administrative focus had shifted briefly due to the ongoing Puri Rath Yatra preparations, but reiterated that the law will take its course.
The controversy stems from tensions over local development plans. BJD councillor Ashok Raut earlier claimed that Ward No. 6 was deliberately excluded from the Annual Action Plan despite raising repeated demands.
“We asked for developmental work, but the ward’s concerns were ignored in the final plan. We demand accountability from the EO,” said Raut.
While the government has promised action, the lack of arrests or visible investigation progress continues to frustrate local residents, activists, and opposition leaders, who accuse the police of dragging their feet under political pressure.
With growing scrutiny from civil society and the media, the case has become a litmus test for the state government’s commitment to law and order, especially when party-affiliated individuals are involved.
