The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has suspended Odisha unit president Udit Pradhan following his arrest in a high-profile sexual assault case that has triggered public outrage and political shockwaves across the state.
According to Bhubaneswar police, Pradhan allegedly sedated and raped a 19-year-old female engineering student at a hotel in the city on March 18. The survivor filed her complaint on July 20, and authorities moved swiftly to arrest Pradhan. The FIR cites that he offered her a cold drink, after which she became dizzy and lost consciousness, only to awaken and realise she had been violated.
Pradhan has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
- Section 64(1) – Rape
- Section 123 – Causing hurt by poison
- Section 74 – Use of criminal force against a woman
- Section 296 – Obscene acts
- Section 351(2) – Criminal intimidation
NSUI released an official statement distancing itself from Pradhan and confirming his immediate suspension. The incident adds to growing concerns over women’s safety in Odisha, especially after a recent suicide case involving alleged harassment by a faculty member.
Political parties across the spectrum have seized on the incident, with Congress assuring full cooperation with legal proceedings, while the BJP accused the opposition of failing to safeguard women.
As the investigation unfolds, voices demanding stricter measures and societal accountability grow louder. The case may well become a flashpoint in Odisha’s political discourse in the lead-up to the upcoming state elections.
