Amid large -scale calls by Odisha Administrative Service (OAs) officials across the state, protesting against the attack on a senior officer, the Commissioner Police on Thursday arrested BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, whose supporters attacked the officer.
The Bhubaneswar-based leader Pradhan, was arrested late in the evening after appearing before the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena said, “He surrendered to the police, after which he was told about the crime and prima facie evidence against him in the case. We arrested him and sent him to court.”
Earlier, five persons were arrested in the case of attack; They have been accused under various sections of BNS, including 109 (attempt to murder).
On Monday, a group of individuals attacked BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu. They dragged her from their office room, slapped and punched him, and asked him to apologize to Pradhan.
However, Pradhan condemned the incident, he later alleged that the BMC officer had abused a woman hygiene worker to attend the rallies organized by the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister. Pradhan also alleged that when the officer questioned the incident, the officer abused him.
The Union of OAS Association and other employees had been on a large scale for the last three days, making administrative functions in government offices across the state.
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On Wednesday, the OAS Association submitted a memorandum to the state government, demanding the arrest of the Prime Minister and behind the attack they were called the “prominent accused and kingpin”.
Meanwhile, Pradhan’s supporters staged a dharna outside the DCP’s office after their arrest.
A known face in the BJP circle in Bhubaneswar, 56-year-old Pradhan, has failed on the BJP ticket since 2014 from Bhubaneswar-Central Assembly constituency. Pradhan, who is mentioned as a businessman in his election manifesto, lost the 2024 assembly election by 37 votes.
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