No Written Police Complaint Over ASO Assault By Ex-Governor’s Son: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Under attack from the opposition over alleged physical assault on an Assistant Section Officer (ASO) by former Governor Raghubar Das’ son in Puri last year, the Odisha government on Monday maintained that no written complaint has been lodged so far with the police.

Sharing this information in the state Assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the ASO is yet to lodge any written with the police in connection with the alleged assault.

The CM was answering a question by BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb regarding filing of complaint by ASO Baikuntha Pradhan, who was allegedly assaulted while on duty at Puri Raj Bhavan on the eve of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the pilgrim town during Rath Yatra, along with an online complaint and action taken by the police.

In his reply, the Chief Minister, who holds the Home portfolio, maintained that no such written complaint has been filed with the police. “No such written complaint has been received at the Sea Beach Police Station of Puri district from an ASO regarding any physical assault and torture on 10.07.2024. One online complaint vide No. 24502038072400067 dtd 12.07.2024 filed by Shri Baikuntha Pradhan of Quarter No. 14/02, unit-9, Bhubaneswar has been received on CCTNS which is under inquiry,” Majhi said.

On July 7, 2024, ASO Pradhan had alleged that he was assaulted by the then Governor Raghubar Das’ son Lalit Kumar at Raj Bhavan in Puri while he was on duty during visit of President Droupadi Murmu for the Rath Yatra.

Pradhan, who was deployed Puri Raj Bhavan since July 5 to supervise preparedness for the visit of President Murmu, had alleged that he was abused with objectionable language, humiliated, threatened and beaten up by the former Governor’s son. His wife had later claimed that he was assaulted by Kumar along with six others as the latter wanted a luxury vehicle to pick him up from the station but could not avail the facility as all vehicles were on duty due to the President’s visit.

In his complaint to the then secretary to the governor, Pradhan alleged that Kumar attacked him on July 7 night while he was on duty.