In a dramatic turn of events, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagannath Pradhan was arrested by Commissionerate Police on Thursday evening in connection with the alleged assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.
The arrest, marking the sixth in the case, unfolded at the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) office, where Pradhan had appeared to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, traces back to Monday when a group of individuals forcibly entered Sahoo’s office during a public grievance hearing, dragged him out, and assaulted him. Disturbing visuals of the attack, showing the officer being kicked and dragged down stairs, have fueled public and political condemnation. The Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association had demanded Pradhan’s immediate arrest, labelling him the prime accused, a call that police have now acted upon.
The incident, which occurred at the BMC office, led to the prior arrest of five other individuals by Kharavela Nagar police. Based on the FIR and statements from victims, Pradhan was identified as the sixth and main conspirator.
Pradhan, who had earlier denied involvement and expressed willingness to cooperate, stated upon arriving at the DCP office, “If my arrest can resolve the issue, I am ready to cooperate.”
Following his arrest, he underwent a medical examination at Capital Hospital before being presented at the Bhubaneswar SDJM Court, which remanded him to 14-day judicial custody at Jharpada Jail.
Pradhan faces charges under Section 61(2) of the BNS for criminal conspiracy involving two or more persons, along with Section 109 for attempting to commit murder. Additional charges under BNS Sections 333, 132, 121(1), 121(2), 351(2), 62, 140(2), 304, 54, 189(2), 190, and 3(5) have also been applied, mirroring those against other accused.
Police have cited video evidence of the attack, registered under Kharavela Nagar Police Station Case No. 280/25, to substantiate the charges.
