Naveen Patnaik Asks Mohan Majhi Govt To Act In ASO Assault Case, Law Minister Responds

Bhubaneswar: Hours after the Opposition boycotted Governor Raghubar Das’s address in the Odisha Assembly, BJD president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik said that the state government must act in the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) assault case.

He was referring to the alleged assault the then ASO Baikuntha Pradhan by Das’ son Lalit Kumar on the night of July 7 on the Raj Bhavan premises in Puri, where he was posted to supervise the preparation for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit.

“My party and I were disappointed and surprised that the present government has taken no action against the Governor’s son, who had meted out violence to a government officer. We were deeply shocked by this. Law and order seems to have completely broken down in our state,” Naveen told reporters.

He further stated that immediate action was taken against ministers, MLAs, MPs, senior government officers whenever they broke law during the previous BJD regime. “The state government should take action according to the law,” he added.

Responding to the LoP’s statement, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the Governor’s secretariat has asked the Puri collector to conduct a thorough probe and submit a report within 15 days. “Action will be taken based on the Puri collector’s report,” he said, while urging the Opposition to have some patience.

Also Read: BJD & Congress MLA Boycott Governor Raghubar Das’ Address Over ‘Odia Asmita’

Earlier in the day, BJD and Congress MLAs walked out of the House as soon as Governor Raghubar Das began his address in protest against the assault on the ASO and police inaction in the matter.