BJP leader gets bail in officer assault case
Pradhan was released from Jharpada jail here on Wednesday evening. The BJP leader was welcomed by his supporters when he walked out of the jail. The BJP leader and Bhubaneswar (Ekamra) MLA Babu Singh also welcomed him. Then, his supporters took Pradhan to his office in a procession by bursting firecrackers and beating drums.
Speaking to mediapersons, Pradhan condemned the incident (assault on OAS officer) and claimed that he was neither directly nor indirectly involved in the assault on the officer, which was 'proved today by the court.' The OAS Association became the victim of a conspiracy of Opposition BJD, which led to his arrest, he claimed.
'The OAS Association should introspect how they fell into the conspiracy. It is the duty of every officer to ensure smooth functioning of the Mohan Majhi government in the State,' he said.
Earlier in the day, the District and Sessions Court, Khurda, granted bail to Pradhan on a security of Rs 30,000. The court had asked the government counsel to produce the telephonic conversation between Pradhan and Ratnakar Sahoo, the victim OAS officer. The court granted bail to Pradhan after the government counsel 'failed' to produce evidence of a conversation in the court, said advocate Suresh Kumar Sahoo.
The BMC Additional Commissioner, Ratnakar Sahoo, was brutally attacked, dragged on the floor of the office, kicked in the face and humiliated by a group of people, allegedly supporters of Pradhan. The viral video of the officer's assault created a Statewide outrage forcing OAS officers to go on strike demanding the arrest of all the accused persons, including Pradhan, who is accused of masterminding the attack on Sahoo.
On Thursday night, Pradhan surrendered before the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, and was arrested and sent to jail. He was produced before the SDJM (Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate's) Court in Bhubaneswar which rejected his bail petition and sent him to 14-day judicial custody.
Pradhan was booked under various sections of BNS which deals with offences like assault on public servants, obstructing government work and causing grievous injury. The BJP leader surrendered before the police as the members of the OAS Association went on a cease-work agitation across the State.
Earlier, police had arrested five persons in connection with the case. While Pradhan was granted bail on Wednesday, the hearing of the bail petition of the other five accused is scheduled to be held on July 15, the advocate said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
Father Claims Daughter Was Murdered, Not Suicide After Odisha Student's Self-Immolation Over Sexual Harassment
The father of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore has made explosive allegations following his daughter's tragic death, claiming she was murdered rather than having committed suicide. The young woman died from severe burn injuries after setting herself on fire on the college campus, an act her father now describes as the result of a deliberate conspiracy by institutional authorities. The grieving father's emotional statements reveal his belief that his daughter was systematically targeted and pushed toward this desperate act because she dared to speak out against harassment. He expressed his conviction that the incident was not a spontaneous decision but rather the culmination of a calculated plot designed to silence his daughter's voice. In his anguished testimony, the father questioned the circumstances surrounding his daughter's final moments, particularly focusing on a private meeting she was called to attend in the principal's office. He demanded answers about what transpired during that closed-door encounter and why the family was not informed about the meeting. His questions highlighted concerns about the institutional handling of his daughter's case and the events leading up to her tragic decision. The student had previously filed a formal complaint with the college's Internal Complaints Committee, accusing Sameer Ranjan Sahoo, the Head of Department, of persistent sexual harassment. According to her father's account, she had disclosed that the accused professor was demanding sexual favors, creating an environment of fear and intimidation that ultimately became unbearable. The father revealed that his daughter had not shared the complete extent of her ordeal with him, but had indicated that the accused was applying continuous pressure on her. He recounted how Sahoo had even attempted to reassure him personally, stating that as her teacher, there was no cause for concern. This interaction now appears particularly troubling in light of the subsequent events. The young woman's complaints had allegedly been met with institutional indifference, with the college principal Dillip Ghose and other staff members failing to take appropriate action despite her repeated pleas for help. The father expressed particular anger toward the Internal Committee members, claiming they had subjected his daughter to additional harassment by confronting her in the presence of her accused harasser. The student sustained 90 percent burns in the incident and was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her injuries on Monday night. Her death has triggered widespread outrage across Odisha, with political leaders and civil society groups demanding justice and accountability from the educational institution. Former Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has directly held the BJP-led state government responsible for what he characterized as "institutional betrayal" and "planned injustice." In his strongly worded response, Patnaik emphasized that the student's death was not an accident but the direct result of systemic failure and deliberate neglect. Patnaik's statement highlighted the disturbing reality of how institutional failures can have fatal consequences, noting that the victim had exhausted all available channels seeking justice but was ultimately failed by the very system designed to protect her. He described the incident as evidence of a system that chose silence over support when intervention was most needed. The family's demands for a comprehensive investigation extend beyond the accused professor to include scrutiny of the principal's role and the functioning of the Internal Complaints Committee. They seek answers about the decision-making process that led to the private meeting and the institutional response to their daughter's harassment complaints. This tragic incident has brought renewed attention to the effectiveness of internal complaint mechanisms in educational institutions and the protection available to students who report harassment. The case raises serious questions about institutional accountability and the consequences of failing to address sexual harassment complaints promptly and effectively. The father's allegations of conspiracy suggest that the death was not simply the result of individual misconduct but potentially involved systemic efforts to silence his daughter's voice. As investigations continue, the focus will likely expand to examine the broader institutional culture and the adequacy of existing protection mechanisms for students facing harassment. The case has become a symbol of the broader struggle for justice in cases of sexual harassment within educational institutions, highlighting the urgent need for robust and effective complaint resolution systems that protect rather than further victimize those who speak out against misconduct.
Indian Express
9 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Woman gives birth on moving bus in Maharashtra, newborn dies after couple throws him out of window
A 19-year-old woman gave birth to a baby while travelling on a bus in the Parbhani district of Maharashtra Tuesday morning. However, she and a 21-year-old man, claiming to be her husband, allegedly threw the baby boy out of the window, leading to the newborn's death. The incident happened on the Pathari-Selu road, and a group of people exercising near the spot found the baby's body. They reported the matter to the Pathari police at around 6.20 am. In their statement, they said they saw someone throw a bag from the bus, following which the bus halted nearly 100 metres from the spot. They rushed to the spot and found the newborn kid. By the time they figured out what happened, the bus had left. A police team also reached the spot and found the baby's body. The locals informed the police that they had noticed a white-coloured bus with 'Sant Prayag Travels' written on it. The police contacted the travel agency and found that the bus was coming from Pune to Parbhani. The police then went to the Parbhani office of the travel agency and found the bus driver. The driver told the police that he had seen a bag being hurled from the bus and hence stopped the bus for a few minutes. He said he had spoken to the couple who claimed that the woman had vomited as she was feeling unwell, following which he continued on the journey. The police then tracked the couple to Parbhani and questioned them. They claimed to be married but could not provide any proof of marriage, according to the police. They said they hailed from Parbhani and had been residing together in Pune for the last year. The police said the woman went into labour on the moving bus, and the couple confessed to throwing the baby out since they did not want to raise him. The police registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 94 (concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body) against the couple and issued them a notice. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment.
India.com
9 minutes ago
- India.com
Smriti Irani to take a break from politics for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2? BJP leader reveals the truth!
Smriti Irani to take a break from politics for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2? BJP leader reveals the truth! Smriti Irani is all set to make a comeback to the TV entertainment world with her most love show- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She will be starring in the reboot version of the show, reprising her role as Tulsi Virani- a character that became synonymous with Indian households when originally aired 25 years ago. Backed by Ekta Kapoor again, the show's reloaded version has stirred excitement among long-time fans. Smriti Irani to take a sabbatical from politics? In a recent interaction on her X account, Smriti Irani received heartfelt wishes from the fans for making a comeback on the show. One of the good luck notes read, 'Dear @smritiirani all the best on your return to TV. Hope this is just a brief sabbatical from politics.' To this, Smriti responded, 'No sabbatical. Have worked both in media and politics for 25 years with only a decade break due to my responsibility as Cabinet Minister. Never compromised on my sangathan responsibilities, never will.' Another fan wrote, 'Will all due respect for your decision to return back to the media. Me and like me thousands of your admirers will wish your active presence in politics too. Specifically when the Bengal and UP election is around the corner. PS – My mother was super happy when she heard this news.' Smriti answered, 'My Pranaam to your Ma … be assured of my active political contribution during the forthcoming elections as assigned by sangathan.' Smriti Irani's political career began in earnest when she was appointed as Minister of Human Resource Department in 2014. Smriti Rani talks about Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi The first look of the show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 released few days ago, creating a wave of nostalgia among fans. In an interaction with IANS, Smriti talked about the original series and how it once became a cultural phenomenon in the Indian television world, 'When I first stepped into Tulsi's world, I couldn't have imagined how far her story would travel—not just into living rooms, but into the hearts of millions across India. Tulsi wasn't just a character. She became a daughter, a mother, a friend—and, for many, a reflection of their own strength, sacrifice, and conviction.' After months of eager anticipation, the makers of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 has finally confirmed that the highly-anticipated sequel will debut on July 29, 2025, at 10:30pm.
