BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan arrested in connection with the attack on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation official Ratnakar Sahu. Pradhan has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. Six arrests have been made so far.
Odisha: BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan has been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on Ratnakar Sahu, Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation. He surrendered himself to the police. The matter came to light after a video went viral. A total of six people have been arrested so far. Pradhan has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
What is the whole matter?
A video of the attack on Ratnakar Sahu, Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), went viral on social media last week. The video showed some people dragging the officer out of his office and attacking him. This incident created a stir throughout the state.
The BMC officer had alleged that the attack was carried out by supporters of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police intensified the investigation and have arrested a total of six people so far.
BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan surrendered
On Thursday evening, BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan surrendered himself to the police at the DCP office in Bhubaneswar. After a medical examination, he was formally arrested. Police officers have confirmed that a case was already registered against Pradhan and the viral video and eyewitness statements formed the basis of this action.
Court rejects bail plea
After the arrest, Pradhan was presented in court on Thursday night. The lower court rejected his bail plea and sent him to 14 days of judicial custody.
His lawyer says that Pradhan is ready to fully cooperate in the investigation and he voluntarily presented himself to the police so that the matter could be resolved legally.
OAS officers' association withdraws agitation
In protest of this incident, the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers' association had launched a statewide agitation. All OAS officers went on mass leave and government work was being affected.
However, after the arrest of Jagannath Pradhan, the OAS officers' association announced the withdrawal of its agitation. The association's president, Jyoti Mishra, said that the government should now show seriousness regarding the security of administrative officers.
"I have come to cooperate" – Jagannath Pradhan
Before the arrest, in a conversation with the media, Jagannath Pradhan said that he had come to fully cooperate with the investigating agencies in this matter. He also alleged that there was a conspiracy to defame him and his party.
