An Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Baikuntha Pradhan, was allegedly assaulted by Lalit Kumar, the son of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, and five others at Raj Bhavan in Puri. The incident, which took place during the preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s Rath Yatra visit, has ignited a major political controversy in Odisha.
Detailed Account of the Assault
According to Pradhan’s complaint, the assault occurred on the night of July 7 on the Raj Bhavan premises in Puri. He claimed that Lalit Kumar and his associates attacked him because he did not send two luxury vehicles to receive them at the Puri railway station. Pradhan detailed that he was slapped, punched, kicked, and had his left ankle twisted. He also alleged that Kumar demanded he lick his shoes and threatened him throughout the assault.
Legal and Administrative Actions
A complaint was registered at Sea Beach Police Station in Puri. On July 12, the Governor took cognizance of the incident and assured justice for Pradhan and his family. However, the delay in arrests has led to public outcry and political protests.
Political Reactions
The Congress and the BJD have demanded immediate action against the accused. Yasir Nawaz, President of Odisha Chhatra Congress, criticized the lack of arrests and called for the immediate apprehension of Lalit Kumar and his associates.
Protests and Demands
On Tuesday, the Odisha Youth and Chhatra Congress activists staged a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan, demanding justice. They highlighted that despite a police complaint and appeals to both the Governor and the Chief Minister’s grievance cell, no arrests had been made nine days after the incident.
Statements from Political Parties
BJD spokesperson Lekhashree Samantasinghar condemned the incident and questioned why the accused were being shown leniency. She emphasized that all are equal before the law and pointed out that Pradhan’s wife feared for his life.
In response, BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra accused the BJD of politicizing the issue. He mentioned that Pradhan’s wife had withdrawn the case, expressing faith in the Governor, and suggested the BJD refrain from further statements.
ASO’s Transfer
Notably, Baikuntha Pradhan was transferred to the Home Department the day before the protests. This move has added another layer to the political discourse surrounding the incident.
Congress’s Call for Justice
Congress workers continued their demonstrations near Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, demanding stringent action against Lalit Kumar and a formal apology from him. They also called for a thorough investigation by the state government, emphasizing the importance of Odia pride and dignity.
The alleged assault on ASO Baikuntha Pradhan has sparked a significant political slugfest in Odisha. The incident has led to public demonstrations, political statements, and a transfer of the victim, adding to the complexity of the situation. The demand for justice remains strong as political parties and the public await further actions from the authorities.
(With inputs from agencies)
