Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Monday lashed out at the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government over the assault of a senior municipal officer in Bhubaneswar, calling the incident “shocking” and demanding immediate action against those involved — including political figures allegedly linked to the attack.
“I am utterly shocked seeing this video. Today, Shri Ratnakar Sahoo, OAS Additional Commissioner, BMC, a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary was dragged from his office and brutally kicked and assaulted in front of a BJP Corporator, allegedly linked to a defeated BJP MLA Candidate,” Patnaik posted on X, along with footage of the incident.
The officer, Ratnakar Sahoo, was reportedly hearing public grievances at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation office when he was allegedly attacked in full public view. The BJD has held the BJP responsible for the incident and staged protests demanding swift action.
'Political leaders who orchestrated and conspired must face action': Patnaik
Patnaik criticised the law and order situation under the BJP government, asking whether citizens could feel safe if senior officers were being assaulted in their own offices.
“What is more appalling is that this happened in broad daylight, in the heart of the capital city to a senior officer while he was in his office, hearing grievances of people,” he said. “If a senior officer is not safe in his own office, then what law and order will ordinary citizens expect from the Government.”
The former chief minister urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act decisively. “I ask @MohanMOdisha Ji to take immediate and exemplary action against not only those who purported but more importantly the political leaders who orchestrated and conspired this shameful attack. The people named by the officer in his FIR have behaved like criminals.”
He also referenced a previous case involving an assault on an officer by the ex-Governor’s son, warning against a repeat of such impunity.
“I only hope that Shri Majhi directs immediate action to be taken to restore faith in his government and not allow this heinous act to go unpunished like the assault on an officer by the ex-Governor's son. The people of Odisha will not forgive this,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, DCP Headquarters Prakash Chandra Pal told news agency ANI: “All those involved will be arrested... Two teams have been formed and are investigating.”
BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo also condemned the attack and accused the BJP of fostering a deteriorating law and order situation.
“A senior OAS Officer has been beaten brutally by the BJP miscreants at the behest of some senior leaders... If such things happen at the state secretariat, this means there is no law and order situation in the state... The conspirators must be arrested,” he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
“I am utterly shocked seeing this video. Today, Shri Ratnakar Sahoo, OAS Additional Commissioner, BMC, a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary was dragged from his office and brutally kicked and assaulted in front of a BJP Corporator, allegedly linked to a defeated BJP MLA Candidate,” Patnaik posted on X, along with footage of the incident.
The officer, Ratnakar Sahoo, was reportedly hearing public grievances at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation office when he was allegedly attacked in full public view. The BJD has held the BJP responsible for the incident and staged protests demanding swift action.
'Political leaders who orchestrated and conspired must face action': Patnaik
Patnaik criticised the law and order situation under the BJP government, asking whether citizens could feel safe if senior officers were being assaulted in their own offices.
“What is more appalling is that this happened in broad daylight, in the heart of the capital city to a senior officer while he was in his office, hearing grievances of people,” he said. “If a senior officer is not safe in his own office, then what law and order will ordinary citizens expect from the Government.”
I am utterly shocked seeing this video.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 30, 2025
Today, Shri Ratnakar Sahoo, OAS Additional Commissioner, BMC, a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary was dragged from his office and brutally kicked and assaulted in front of a BJP Corporator, allegedly linked to a defeated… pic.twitter.com/yf7M3dLt9C
The former chief minister urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act decisively. “I ask @MohanMOdisha Ji to take immediate and exemplary action against not only those who purported but more importantly the political leaders who orchestrated and conspired this shameful attack. The people named by the officer in his FIR have behaved like criminals.”
He also referenced a previous case involving an assault on an officer by the ex-Governor’s son, warning against a repeat of such impunity.
“I only hope that Shri Majhi directs immediate action to be taken to restore faith in his government and not allow this heinous act to go unpunished like the assault on an officer by the ex-Governor's son. The people of Odisha will not forgive this,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, DCP Headquarters Prakash Chandra Pal told news agency ANI: “All those involved will be arrested... Two teams have been formed and are investigating.”
BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo also condemned the attack and accused the BJP of fostering a deteriorating law and order situation.
“A senior OAS Officer has been beaten brutally by the BJP miscreants at the behest of some senior leaders... If such things happen at the state secretariat, this means there is no law and order situation in the state... The conspirators must be arrested,” he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
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