Arrest Of Deogarh MLA Pre-Planned, Says Odisha BJP, Threatens Protest

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha BJP on Sunday questioned the arrest of Deograh MLA Subash Chandra Panigrahi in the alleged murderous attack on Tileibani BDO Krushnachandra Dalapati, the previous day.

“The MLA was the first to lodge a police complaint. The BDO had threatened to kill Panigrahi. He was arrested by police without proper investigation. The BJD had pre-planned his arrest,” alleged party spokesperson Golak Mohapatra.

In his complaint, the legislator alleged that the government official had misbehaved with him.

The BJP also threatened to stage a protest if no action is taken against Tileibani BDO.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, however, said that the arrest was lawful and stern action should be taken against Panigrahi.

Notably, Deogarh police apprehended Panigrahi from his official quarters in Bhubaneswar this afternoon on the basis of a complaint lodged by the BDO, alleging that the MLA and his aides thrashed him mercilessly at Chhepalipali village.

According to the complaint filed by the BDO at Deogarh police station, he was informed about Panigrahi visiting the former’s office while he had gone on an inspection of a school in Dudihiana panchayat on Saturday.

As Dalapati had to conduct an inquiry at Bhaliagudi village under Chepilipalli panchayat regarding a case in the Orissa High Court, he informed the officials accompanying the MLA that he would meet him after finishing the work.

While the BJP legislator was returning after visiting the BDO office, he met Dalapati near Bhaliagudi and beat and kicked him, resulting in injuries on his face and body.

The BDO also said he had not shown any disrespect to the MLA and had politely told them that he would meet him after returning from Chhepalipali.