BJP Leader Arrested in Odisha for Alleged Assault on Administrative Officer

Arrest of BJP Leader in Bhubaneswar

In a significant development, police apprehended BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan in Bhubaneswar concerning an alleged attack on an officer from the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS). According to a police spokesperson, Pradhan surrendered at the DCP office in Bhubaneswar, following which he was taken into custody after undergoing a medical examination. The incident reportedly involved the assault of Ratnakar Sahu, the additional commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), who was allegedly pulled out of his office and attacked by a group of miscreants last week. So far, a total of six individuals, including Pradhan, have been arrested in connection with this case.

OAS Officers Withdraw Protest

Following Pradhan's arrest, the OAS Officers' Association, which had been protesting, decided to call off their agitation, as stated by their president, Jyoti Mishra. In response to the attack on Sahu, OAS officers across the state had initiated a 'mass leave' protest. DCP Jagmohan Meena from Bhubaneswar confirmed that Pradhan's arrest was based on the FIR and statements from Sahu and other accused individuals. Pradhan expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation, stating, 'I have come here to assist in the inquiry. If my arrest can resolve the issue, I am ready to cooperate.'