Bhubaneswar: An assistant section officer (ASO) of the state government has alleged that he was brutally assaulted by Governor Raghubar Das’ son Lalit Kumar in Puri Raj Bhavan on July 7 night.
The ASO, Baikunthnath Pradhan, has lodged a written complaint at Sea Beach Police Station in this connection.
Pradhan also brought the matter to the notice of Principal Secretary to Governor Saswat Mishra. In his letter, Pradhan stated that he was thrashed by Kumar, his two PSOs and as many friends. Kumar even threatened to kill him when he tried to escape, Pradhan alleged.
“At around 11.45 pm on July 7, I was sitting in the office room. Aakash Singh (Personal Cook of Hon’ble Governor) came to office and told me that Mr. Lalit Kumar (Son of Hon’ble Governor of Odisha) wants to meet me right now. I came with Aakash to meet Lalit Kumar at Suite No-4. The moment Lalit Kumar saw me, he started scolding me in unparliamentary language and used highly objectionable slangs. When I objected to such humiliation, they started slapping me,” Pradhan mentioned in the letter.
He ran out of the room and hid behind the annex building but two PSOs of Kumar dragged him to the suite again and started blowing punches on his face, twisted his left ankle and kicked to different body parts.
The incident irked the BJD and Congress as the Government took no action on the matter.
BJD came down heavily on the Government while Congress gheraoed the Raj Bhavan today demanding strict action against the culprits.
BJD MLA Pratap Deb questioned the Government’s silence even as six days have passed since the incident took place. “Everyone is waiting for justice from the Chief Minister. Being in the Opposition party, we demand justice to the state government employee. It is very unfortunate and highly condemnable. Police is yet to register a case and take action even as the incident happened on July 7. I urge the CM to act on it immediately,” Pratap Deb said.
Meanwhile, Congress workers today took to the street and staged protests in front of the Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar demanding strict action against the culprits. Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik also expressed concerns over the incident and urged the CM to investigate the matter.
“I am deeply concerned about the recent incident involving Lalit Kumar, the son of Hon’ble @GovernorOdisha Raghubar Das. It has been reported that on the night of July 7th, he allegedly assaulted Baikuntha Pradhan, an Assistant Section Officer and the Raj Bhawan in charge at Puri. Despite a formal complaint being filed, no action has been taken yet. I urge the Odisha Chief Minister, @MohanMOdisha, to order a thorough investigation and ensure that justice is served for the victim,” Patnaik posted on ‘X’.
