The legal troubles for Boudh MLA Saroj Kumar Pradhan have escalated significantly following a local court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against him.
The warrant stems from a high-profile legal dispute concerning an alleged false affidavit submitted by Pradhan during the 2024 Odisha Assembly elections.
The controversy began when former Boudh MLA Pradip Kumar Amat filed a formal complaint before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court in Boudh. Amat alleged that Pradhan had submitted a fraudulent affidavit containing misleading or false information regarding his credentials or declarations during the electoral polls. Taking swift cognisance of the matter, the SDJM court registered the case and directed the sitting MLA to appear before the bench to present his defence.
Seeking to stall the proceedings, Pradhan challenged the SDJM court’s direction by approaching the Orissa High Court. The High Court granted him a temporary reprieve by providing a 12-week window to address the legal hurdles. However, complications arose after the designated 12-week protection period expired. According to court records, Pradhan failed to make an appearance before the SDJM court, repeatedly seeking further extensions instead.
Following his continuous absence and failure to comply with judicial directives, the SDJM court finally lost patience and issued an arrest warrant against the lawmaker. This decisive legal step brings the election dispute back into the spotlight, raising pressing questions about the political and legal future of the Boudh MLA as authorities prepare to enforce the court order.
