Bhubaneswar: In a disturbing incident at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, Kharvel Nagar Police arrested three persons on Monday for allegedly assaulting BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo and attempting to abduct him during office hours.
The arrested have been identified as Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mohapatra, and Debashis Pradhan. The arrests followed an FIR lodged by the Additional Commissioner, triggering swift police action.
According to sources, the incident occurred around 11.30 am while Sahoo was presiding over a routine Public Grievance Redressal Meeting. A group of six to seven unidentified men, described as heavily built, reportedly entered the meeting hall without permission and confronted Sahoo in the presence of other officials, staff, and members of the public.
Sahoo alleged that the group questioned him about a phone call he had earlier that day with Jagannath Pradhan. Upon confirming the call, the attackers allegedly launched a brutal assault in full view of the public.
In his complaint, Sahoo detailed, “Without any provocation, they began physically assaulting me in front of the Corporator of Ward No. 29, Sri Jeevan Rout. Despite my pleas for mercy, they beat me severely, causing serious injuries and profuse bleeding. The attackers even tried to forcibly drag me into a vehicle, demanding I apologize to Sri Jagannath Pradhan. The abduction was prevented only due to the timely intervention of BMC staff and officers present.”
Further, Sahoo alleged that his mobile phone was seized and objectionable content was posted on his WhatsApp status. A screenshot of the post was submitted with the complaint.
The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the law, including BNS sections 333, 132, 121(1), 121(2), 109, 351(2), 62, 140(2), 304, 54, 61(2), 189(2), 190, and 3(5). Police investigations are ongoing to identify other possible suspects.
The attack has caused serious physical and mental trauma to Sahoo and disrupted normal functioning at the public office. Demanding strict action, the Additional Commissioner has urged the authorities to take necessary legal measures.
Police have registered a case and are probing the incident, though the exact motive behind the assault remains unclear.
