Bhubaneswar, July 9(OT Webdesk) — BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan was released from Jharpada Jail today after securing bail in the high-profile assault case involving BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.
The case, which erupted on June 30, saw Sahoo being forcibly removed from his office and assaulted—an incident captured on video that went viral and sparked statewide outrage.
The alleged dispute stemmed from tensions over the reported mistreatment of a sanitation worker, triggering a flashpoint between political representatives and civic authorities.
In the wake of the attack, the Odisha Administrative Service Association launched an unprecedented mass leave protest, while former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik swiftly condemned the violence, demanding stringent action.
Six individuals, including Pradhan, were initially arrested. His release has since reignited a contentious political debate over accountability, governance, and the rule of law.
While the BJP stands by Pradhan, opposing parties have intensified calls for transparent legal proceedings.
Observers see the incident as emblematic of deep-rooted friction between the bureaucracy and political machinery, raising urgent questions about institutional respect and democratic conduct in Odisha.
