Tensions flared in Bhubaneswar on Monday following a violent attack on Ratnakar Sahoo, the Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Kharvelnagar Police Station has registered an FIR, and three suspects — Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debashis Pradhan — have been taken into custody by the commissionerate police, Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena said. Investigations into the possible involvement of others are ongoing.
BMC Mayor Sulochana Das condemned the incident, describing how five to six men allegedly dragged Sahoo from his office, beat him, and tried to abduct him, news agency ANI reported. Speaking to reporters, Das demanded stronger action, stating, “Nobody is safe here. A government officer was dragged out of his office by 5-6 men. He was assaulted, and there was an attempt to abduct him. We had the visuals and even shared them with the media. An attempt to murder case should be filed against them. We had filed an FIR, but only three people have been arrested. All accused should be arrested…”
BJD MLA Ananta Narayan Jena joined the criticism, calling for the arrest of Jagannath Pradhan, whom he labelled the “kingpin” of the attack. Jena questioned the functioning of the administration, saying, “Jagannath Pradhan, the kingpin, must be arrested. We will hold demonstrations. How is the Administration running?”
Naveen Patnaik Expresses Shock, Calls for Exemplary Action
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his deep shock on X, sharing a video of the incident and condemning the “brutal kicking and assault” on the Additional Commissioner. Patnaik called on Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act swiftly, asserting, “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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/yf7M3dLt9C
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 30, 2025
He further warned that if a senior officer could be attacked inside his office in broad daylight, ordinary citizens could hardly expect safety. “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,” Patnaik posted.
Congress and BJD Blame BJP Over ‘Gunda Raj’, Slam ‘Breakdown of Law and Order’
BJD leader Ashok Panda described the incident as a “barbaric act” and said it showed a “complete failure of law and order.” Speaking to ANI, he said, “This is a barbaric act. This is a complete failure of law and order. This city has always promoted peace and non-violence. Right under the nose of the CM, who is also the Home Minister, goons have ransacked the BMC office and brutally assaulted an Odisha Administrative Services officer. This is condemnable. When the officers are not safe, then what about the common man? This is a failure like the Puri car festival of the present government. The main conspirator should be arrested.”
Meanwhile, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka accused the BJP of presiding over “gunda raj” in the state. He told ANI, “In the video, we can see a BJP Corporator along with his goons assaulting an Additional Commissioner of BMC. We have been raising this issue of gunda raj in Odisha for a year now. This is happening everywhere. The BJP is not able to handle the law and order situation and administration. The Chief Minister should take cognisance of this incident and take action.”
On social media, the Congress party also condemned the assault, posting on X: “In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, BJP leader Aparupa Raut, along with his goons, is beating up the Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation. An attempt was also made to kidnap Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu. Somehow, the Commissioner managed to save his life. This is the jungle raj of the BJP, where criminals are openly indulging in thuggery.”
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, BJP leader Aparupa Raut along with his g00ns is beating the Additional Commissioner of Municipal Corporation.
Congrats BJP for another Jungle Raj Govt! pic.twitter.com/wBgZzBwDgv
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) June 30, 2025
DCP Headquarters Prakash Chandra Pal told ANI that a probe was underway and all involved would be apprehended, saying, “All those involved will be arrested… Two teams have been formed and are investigating.”
