Odisha MLA, 2 Others Arrested For ‘Thrashing’ BDO

Bhubaneswar: Three persons, including Deogarh MLA Subash Chandra Panigrahi, were arrested by police on Sunday for allegedly assaulting a Block Development Officer (BDO).

Panigrahi was apprehended from his official quarters in Bhubaneswar following a complaint filed by the BDO of Tileibani block, Krushnachandra Dalapati, alleging that the MLA and his aides thrashed him mercilessly at Chhepalipali village.

The others arrested have been identified as Akalu Dhal and Kumarmani Sahoo.

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

He also took up the matter with the collector and the district police formed a special team to investigate the matter.

Notably, the MLA had also lodged a counter complaint alleging that the government official misbehaved with him.