Bhubaneswar: An Assistant Section Officer (ASO) of the Parliamentary Affairs Department has alleged that he was assaulted by Odisha Governor Raghubar Das’ son Lalit Kumar and five others at Puri Raj Bhawan on July 7. Victim Baikuntha Pradhan has lodged a complaint in this regard at Sea Beach police station at Puri. As per the allegations, the incident took place during Pradhan’s deployment at Raj Bhawan (Governor’s House) at Puri to supervise the preparedness for the stay of President Droupadi Murmu at the Holy Town for two days starting July 7.
Pradhan claimed that Lalit Kumar called him to Suite no. 4 of Raj Bhawan at around 11.45 pm on July 7.
Once he reached the room, Lalit Kumar allegedly started scolding Pradhan with unparliamentarily languages. Lalit Kumar and the other five persons present at the suite slapped Pradhan when he raised an objection. To protect himself, Pradhan ran out of the room and hid himself in another building.
However, the two PSOs of Lalit Kumar traced Pradhan and forcibly took him back to Suite no. 4. Lalit Kumar and his aides again allegedly slapped Pradhan, hit his face with blows and kicked him mercilessly.
The victim informed the incident to the Principal Secretary to Governor and urged him for justice. He later lodged a complaint with Sea Beach police at Puri. Victim’s wife Sayoji Pradhan, meanwhile, claimed that her husband had sent an Ambassador car to carry Lalit Kumar and his friends.
Lalit Kumar and the other five assaulted Pradhan by saying that why did not he sends a luxury car. “My husband has sustained injuries in the assault. The authorities should initiate appropriate action against the accused persons,” said Sayoji.
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