BJP Leader Jagannath Pradhan Arrested in OAS Officer Assault Case

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan was apprehended on Thursday evening in Bhubaneswar for his alleged involvement in the assault on an Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer. The incident prompted widespread protests among OAS officers.

Pradhan surrendered at the DCP office and was subsequently arrested following a medical examination, according to a police officer. The attack on Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has drawn significant attention.

The arrest of Pradhan, among six others, led the OAS Officers Association to call off a planned mass leave protest. Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed the arrest based on an FIR and witness statements. Pradhan expressed willingness to cooperate in the investigation, stating his arrest aims to resolve the issue.

(With inputs from agencies.)