Odisha RI Suspended After Calling PM Modi His Best Friend In Drunk State At Office

Bhubaneswar: A revenue inspector (RI) of Odisha’s Puri district was suspended on Wednesday, two days after he created a ruckus near his workplace in an inebriated state while claiming to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s best friend.

The erring official has been identified as Marshal Pradhan (39). He was posted as RI at Baulanga under Gop tehsil.

“He has been suspended for misconduct and indiscipline. He was found drunk and creating nuisance at his workplace. He was also absent from his duty. Disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against him,” Puri collector Siddharth Shankar Swain told TOI while referring to the inquiry report.

On Monday, a purported video of Pradhan went viral in which he was seen staggering while speaking in an incoherent manner after arriving at the office around 1 pm. When questioned about his late arrival by farmers waiting there seeking compensation for crop loss, he replied, “Nobody can seek an explanation from me. I can come whenever I want. If I want I can become the Prime Minister now… maybe tomorrow. But I don’t want to leave (Narendra) Modi, he is my best friend.”