Bhubaneswar: In a case that has triggered statewide outrage and raised alarm over the safety of public officials, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo was brutally assaulted inside his office premises during official hours on June 30. The incident, captured on CCTV and widely circulated on social media, has sparked protests, arrests, and a wave of condemnation from all corners, including bureaucratic bodies, political leaders, and civil society.
Amid the spiraling controversy, BJP leader Jagannath
Pradhan, widely alleged to be the prime accused and mastermind, on Wednesday
broke his silence, saying the issue is being politicised by the opposition.
Denying direct involvement, Pradhan stated, “This incident is tragic and condemnable. I strongly denounce it in the harshest terms. At a time when the state is heading towards administrative paralysis, I reiterate my full respect for the law and will cooperate with any legal action.”
However, demands for his arrest have grown louder,
especially from the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA), which
termed the assault a direct attack on public service and observed mass leave on
July 1 in protest.
The Assault Incident
The alleged assault took place around 11.30 am on Monday
(June 30) inside the BMC headquarters during a routine Public Grievance
Redressal Meeting. According to the FIR lodged by Ratnakar Sahoo at Kharvel
Nagar Police Station, six to seven unidentified, heavily built men barged into
the meeting hall, confronted him over a phone conversation with Jagannath
Pradhan and launched a violent attack in full public view.
Sahoo detailed in his complaint, “They beat me brutally with the intent to kill, attempted to drag me into a vehicle and demanded I apologise to Jagannath Pradhan. Despite my pleas, they continued the assault until BMC staff intervened and thwarted the abduction.”
He also alleged that the attackers forcibly took his mobile
phone and uploaded objectionable content on his WhatsApp status, screenshots of
which were submitted as part of the FIR.
Arrests and Police Action
The Commissionerate Police has arrested five persons so far
in connection with the case. The latest arrest was of Sachikanta Swain, while
earlier, local BJP leader Sanjeeb Mishra, along with Jeevan Rout, Rashmi
Mahapatra, and Debasis Pradhan, were apprehended. Sanjeeb Mishra has since been
suspended from the BJP.
Viral videos show Sahoo being grabbed by the collar, dragged
out, and repeatedly assaulted. The police continue their probe while pressure
builds for the arrest of Jagannath Pradhan.
Staff Protests and Bureaucratic Backlash
On July 1, BMC staff observed a cease-work protest, donning
black badges in solidarity with Sahoo. The protest caused widespread disruption
in civic services and brought administrative operations to a standstill.
BMC Commissioner called the incident “shameful” and promised
enhanced security measures for all civic offices.
Meanwhile, OASA wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi,
calling the incident “a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities officers face,”
and held a massive gathering near the Chief Secretary’s office on Wednesday to
submit a memorandum demanding immediate arrest of the “kingpin.”
“This brazen act has destroyed the morale of officers
statewide. Unless swift action is taken, such violence will set a dangerous precedent,”
the letter noted.
The association also demanded security cover for all
field-level executive officers—including Tahsildars, Sub-Collectors, BDOs, and
EOs.
Political Reactions
The incident has drawn political fire as well. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik strongly condemned the assault, stating, “If senior officials are not safe in government buildings, what safety can a common citizen expect?”
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
Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das also decried the attack,
raising questions over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state
capital.
Investigation Underway, Law Taking Its Course
The police have registered a case under relevant IPC
sections and investigation is ongoing. However, even as five accused have been
arrested, pressure continues to mount on the state government to act against
Jagannath Pradhan, who is still not in custody.
With government officials rattled, public confidence shaken and
political narratives clashing, this assault case has not only disrupted
Bhubaneswar’s administrative machinery but has also triggered a statewide
reckoning on the safety of public servants.