Congress Stages Protest Demanding Stringent Action Against Odisha Governor’s Son Over Assault On ASO

Bhubaneswar: Congress workers staged a demonstration near Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday demanding stringent action against son of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das for allegedly assaulting an assistant section officer (ASO).

Activists of the youth and student wings of the state Congress staged the demonstration outside Raj Bhavan protesting alleged assault on ASO Baikuntha Pradhan by the Governor’s son Lalit Kumar in Puri.

The protesters demanded stringent action against Lalit Kumar and sought to know as to why the Governor’s son is yet to tender an apology over the incident.

The Congress activists also demanded a thorough probe by the state government into the incident keeping Odia Asmita and Swabhiman in mind.

Notably, the Odisha government on Monday transferred and posted ASO Baikuntha Pradhan from Parliamentary Affairs Department to Home Department.

As per sources, the alleged assault took place when Pradhan was deployed at Raj Bhavan in Puri during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit for Rath Yatra.

Pradhan had alleged assault by Governor’s son Lalit Kumar and six others on the night of July 7. The incident took place on the Raj Bhavan premises in Puri, where he was deployed to supervise the preparation for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit. He had accused them of ‘slapping, blowing punches on his face, kicking every part of his body, and twisting his left ankle’.

As per the complaint registered at Sea Beach Police Station in Puri, Kumar was upset with Pradhan for not sending two luxury vehicles to receive him at the Puri railway station. During the assault, he also asked Pradhan to lick his shoes and kept threatening him.

On July 12, Governor took cognizance of the incident and assured justice for the victim and his family.