BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan was released from Jharpada Jail today after being granted bail, marking a dramatic turn in the high-profile assault case involving Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.
The release saw Pradhan greeted by jubilant supporters outside the jail.
Pradhan’s arrest stemmed from a shocking June 30 attack on Sahoo, captured on video showing the official being dragged from his office and brutally kicked. The assault, allegedly triggered by a dispute over a sanitation worker’s mistreatment, sparked widespread outrage.
The Odisha Administrative Service Association responded with a rare mass leave protest, while former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the “brutal act,” urging swift action against the perpetrators. The case has exposed deep-seated tensions between political figures and the bureaucracy, with six individuals, including Pradhan, initially detained. His release on bail has reignited debates over governance and law enforcement in Odisha.
As the state braces for potential political repercussions, the BJP defends Pradhan, while opposition parties demand accountability.
