FIR Filed Against BJD Leaders Pranab Prakash Das and Adhiraj Panigrahi Over Alleged Assault and Death Threat
Nuapada, Nov 1: Political tensions in Odisha’s Nuapada district escalated sharply ahead of the upcoming bypolls, as a formal complaint was lodged at Komna police station against senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders Pranab Prakash Das (popularly known as Bobby) and sitting MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi.
The FIR, filed by BJP supporter Jitu Adabanga, accuses the leaders of physical assault and issuing death threats.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred at the farmhouse of local BJD leader Manoj Mishra in Komna, where Jitu was allegedly summoned.
Upon arrival, he was reportedly verbally abused by Pranab Das for switching political allegiance from BJD to BJP. The situation escalated when Das allegedly grabbed Jitu by the collar and physically assaulted him.
MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi is also accused of threatening Jitu and his family with dire consequences.
The police have registered a case under IPC Sections 296, 126(2), and 115(2), (3), (5). However, despite the gravity of the allegations, no arrests have been made so far, leading to public dissatisfaction over the perceived inaction by law enforcement.
Jitu claimed that had the police not intervened in time, he might have been killed. “They threatened to eliminate me and my family,” he stated in his complaint.
In a related development, BJD leader Prithiranjan Ghadai, who is currently staying in a rented house in Khariar for election campaigning, came under scrutiny after reports surfaced about alleged cash being stored at his residence for distribution.
Acting on a tip-off, two magistrates, accompanied by a platoon of police, conducted a raid on the premises.
The incidents have added fuel to an already heated political atmosphere in Nuapada, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJD of intimidation tactics. The police have stated that investigations are ongoing.
