Odisha BJP Leader Jagannath Pradhan Arrested in BMC Officer Assault Case
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar-based BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan was arrested on Thursday evening in connection with the assault on BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo, an incident that has sparked a statewide protest by Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers and other government employees.
Leader Surrenders, Faces Serious Charges
Pradhan surrendered at the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s office and was taken into custody based on prima facie evidence in the case, said DCP Jagmohan Meena. Earlier, five others had been arrested for their role in the incident. All six have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 109 (attempt to murder).
Attack on BMC Officer Triggers Backlash
The assault occurred on Monday, when a group of individuals allegedly led by Pradhan’s supporters dragged the BMC official out of his chamber, slapped and punched him, and demanded an apology to the BJP leader.
Though Pradhan condemned the incident, he later alleged that Ratnakar Sahoo had misbehaved with a woman sanitation worker for participating in political rallies led by Chief Minister and Prime Minister. Pradhan further claimed that the officer misbehaved with him as well when he inquired about the matter.
Mass Leave Paralyzes Governance
In protest, the OAS Association and other government employees’ unions observed mass leave for three consecutive days, crippling administrative operations across Odisha.
On Wednesday, the OAS Association submitted a formal memorandum to the state government, demanding Pradhan’s arrest and identifying him as the “prime accused and kingpin” behind the attack.
Following Pradhan’s arrest, his supporters staged a dharna outside the DCP’s office, expressing discontent over what they claim is a politically motivated action.
Jagannath Pradhan, 56, is a familiar face in Bhubaneswar’s BJP circles, having contested unsuccessfully from the Bhubaneswar-Central assembly seat since 2014. In the 2024 state election, he lost by a narrow margin of just 37 votes. According to his election manifesto, Pradhan is listed as a businessman.
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