BJP Leader Jagannath Pradhan Arrested Over Assault On Officer In Odisha

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan has been arrested over the assault on an on-duty Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer.

Mr Pradhan surrendered before the police and will now be questioned over the incident.

"I have publicly condemned the assault. Such a despicable incident is unacceptable and should not happen again. Despite no evidence of my involvement in this incident, a planned attempt was made from various angles to defame me, my party and the government," Mr Pradhan told reporters. 

"The OAS Association has also been protesting and demanding my arrest. As a result of this protest, the services and assessment of damage and compensation for the people in the forest may be affected, and the Bahuda Yatra and the Sunabesha of Mahaprabhu may also be affected. If my arrest solves all these problems, then for the sake of the honour of the Bharatiya Janata Party and for the greater good of Odisha and the people of Odisha, I am going to cooperate in the investigation of the said incident," he added.

Mr Pradhan's staff had allegedly dragged Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo out of his office and then beaten up and kicked.

Mr Pradhan also reiterated that he had publicly condemned the attack, while alleging attempts to defame him and his party. "As a result of this protest, the services and assessment of damage and compensation for the people in the forest may be affected, and the Bahuda Yatra and the Sunabesha of Mahaprabhu may also be affected. If my arrest solves all these problems, I am going to cooperate in the investigation," he added.

A total of six persons, including Mr Pradhan, have been arrested in connection with the assault.

OAS officers across the state were on a 'mass leave' following the "assault" on Mr Sahoo.