BJP Leader Jagannath Pradhan Arrested After Surrendering in BMC Official Assault Case

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagannath Pradhan was arrested on Wednesday after surrendering before Commissionerate Police in connection with the alleged assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.

The BJP leader was named as the prime accused in the FIR lodged by Sahoo at Kharvelnagar Police Station.

Speaking to the media before surrendering, Pradhan said that he has condemned the attack and categorically deny any involvement. This is a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his image and defame the State Government, he added.

Pradhan reached the DCP office in Bhubaneswar in the evening, accompanied by supporters amid heavy police deployment. His supporters later staged a dharna outside the office and protested along the Vani Vihar–Master Canteen road, as per reports.

Following standard procedure, Pradhan was taken to Capital Hospital for a medical check-up.

With his arrest, the total number of persons held in connection with the case has risen to six.

Notably, the arrest of Jagannath Pradhan was a key demand of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association, which has launched a statewide protest over the attack on the BMC official.