A group of people assaulted a senior Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officer on Monday during a public grievance hearing. As a result, Odisha Police arrested three individuals linked to the attack.
Police File FIR and Make Arrests
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed the arrests. He said police have filed an FIR. According to ANI, the accused are Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debashis Pradhan.
Attack Triggered by Alleged Misconduct
According to reports, the attackers stormed into the chamber of BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. They grabbed his collar and physically assaulted him.
Moreover, videos of the incident went viral on social media. The clips showed the group kicking Sahoo and striking his head. Early reports suggest the group was angry over Sahoo’s alleged misbehavior with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, also known as “Jag bhai.”
Later, Sahoo shared details with PTI, “Around five or six unknown youths forcefully entered into my chamber. I thought that they have come to lodge their grievances. A corporator was also with them, who asked me whether I had misbehaved with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. With this small interaction, the group of miscreants dragged me from the office and manhandled me.”
In addition, he told reporters that the group tried to kidnap him by forcing him into a vehicle.
Mass Protests Follow the Incident
Consequently, the attack triggered outrage among BMC staff and opposition corporators from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Furthermore, the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association announced that its members would go on mass leave starting July 1.
Their letter stated, “This is to formally inform you that the Odisha Administrative Service Association has unanimously resolved to proceed on a mass leave with effect from 1st July, 2025 in protest against the appalling and deplorable attack on the Additional Commissioner BMC, which occurred in broad daylight within official premises.”
Political Parties Demand Strong Action
Meanwhile, opposition parties including the BJD and Congress strongly condemned the attack. They urged the government to take strict action.
Former Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik expressed shock over the video. He said, “I am utterly shocked seeing this video. Today, Shri Ratnakar Sahoo, OAS Additional Commissioner, BMC, a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary was dragged from his office and brutally kicked and assaulted in front of a BJP Corporator, allegedly linked to a defeated BJP MLA Candidate.”
He called on the Chief Minister to punish the culprits and any political leaders involved. Additionally, BJD leaders held protests. They called the attack a “complete failure of law and order.”
Congress Slams BJP’s Role
At the same time, the Congress party also issued a strong response. It accused the BJP of fostering lawlessness in the state.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Congress wrote, “In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, BJP leader Aparupa Raut, along with his goons, is beating up the Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation. An attempt was also made to kidnap Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu. Somehow, the Commissioner managed to save his life. This is the jungle raj of the BJP, where criminals are openly indulging in thuggery.”
BJP MP and BMC Mayor Respond
Later, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das condemned the assault. She said, “nobody is safe” and demanded attempted murder charges against the attackers.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi distanced the party from the accused. She said the actions did not reflect BJP’s beliefs.
She posted on Facebook, “We are proud of the ideology of Bharatiya Janata Party. This kind of behaviour is certainly not in line with the philosophy/ideology of the Party. I condemn this behaviour towards a Government Officer on Duty. The Law will take its course.”