- Tikhiri Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Chameli Ojha has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
- The incident originated from a dispute inside the Mahakalapada BDO office.
- Police are examining CCTV footage and investigating allegations made by both sides.
BHUBANESWAR: The Kendrapara Sarpanch arrest case has drawn significant attention after Chameli Ojha, Sarpanch of Tikhiri Gram Panchayat and President of the Kendrapara District Sarpanch Association, was arrested and later remanded to judicial custody by a local court.
The arrest follows a confrontation that occurred at the Mahakalapada Block Development Office on June 10, leading to complaints from both administrative officials and the sarpanch.
How the Dispute Began Of Tikhiri Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Chameli Ojha
According to reports, Chameli Ojha visited the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) in Mahakalapada to raise issues related to her panchayat.
During the visit, a dispute allegedly arose after she began recording video footage inside the BDO’s chamber using her mobile phone.
Following the incident, separate complaints were reportedly filed by the BDO and police authorities, leading to legal action.
Arrests and Investigation
Police first arrested Ojha’s younger brother, Suryakant Ojha, on June 10. Subsequently, Chameli Ojha was arrested and produced before the SDJM court, which remanded her to judicial custody.
Officials stated that police have initiated a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the BDO office to establish the sequence of events.
Allegations of Assault
The controversy deepened after Ojha alleged that she was physically assaulted by police personnel while being transported to the police station.
She reportedly submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police seeking action and an independent inquiry into the alleged incident.
However, the Kendrapara police administration has denied the allegations.
Officials cited available CCTV footage from inside the police station, which they claim shows Ojha present there in the company of media personnel.
Challenge in Verifying Claims
Authorities acknowledged that while CCTV footage exists inside the police station and the BDO office, there were reportedly no surveillance cameras inside the police vehicle.
As a result, independently verifying the allegation of assault during transit may prove difficult.
The investigation is expected to rely on witness statements, documentary evidence and available video recordings.
Sarpanch Association Seeks Inquiry
The incident has generated reactions from local panchayat representatives across the district.
A delegation from the Kendrapara District Sarpanch Association, led by secretary Sanjay Sethi, met officials and demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the matter.
Ojha has also reportedly written to Mohan Charan Majhi seeking intervention and an unbiased probe.
What Happens Next?
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are examining all available evidence before drawing conclusions.
The outcome of the probe could have broader implications for relations between local elected representatives and administrative authorities, while also highlighting questions regarding transparency, accountability and the use of digital recording in government offices.
Police have stated that further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
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