Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagannath Pradhan was arrested on Thursday after surrendering at the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) office in Bhubaneswar, following allegations of orchestrating an assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.
The arrest led to protests by Pradhan’s supporters, who staged a blockade at Vani Vihar Square, causing traffic disruptions on the National Highway. Police forces were promptly deployed to restore order.
The incident, which occurred on June 30, involved a group of miscreants allegedly attacking Sahoo, a senior BMC official. Based on the victim’s statement and the First Information Report (FIR), Pradhan was named as a key accused. Following his surrender, the BJP leader was taken into custody, and his bail petition was rejected by the court. He has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody, as confirmed by his lawyer.
Post-arrest, Pradhan underwent a medical examination at Capital Hospital. In a statement before his arrest, Pradhan denied any involvement in the assault, labelling the accusations as a “politically motivated conspiracy” aimed at tarnishing his reputation and that of his party. “If my arrest can resolve the issue, I am ready to cooperate,” Pradhan said, emphasising his willingness to face the legal process.
The arrest has had significant repercussions, both politically and administratively. The Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association, which had launched a mass leave agitation in response to the assault on Sahoo, called off its protest following Pradhan’s arrest.
The agitation had severely disrupted administrative functions and public service delivery across Odisha, particularly in Bhubaneswar. The OAS Association’s decision to end the protest has brought relief to the state’s administrative machinery, allowing services to resume.
DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed the arrest and court proceedings, stating that the investigation is ongoing. So far, six individuals, including Pradhan, have been arrested in connection with the assault. Authorities are continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has raised questions about political rivalries and administrative safety in the state.
As the case unfolds, all eyes are on the judicial process and its potential impact on Odisha’s political landscape. With the state administration resuming normal operations, the focus now shifts to ensuring justice for the victim and addressing the broader implications of the incident.
