Bhubaneswar, July 1 — In a shocking incident that has triggered statewide outrage, a senior IAS officer was brutally assaulted inside the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office on Monday. The incident, caught on camera and now viral on social media, shows Additional Commissioner of BMC, Ratnakar Sahoo, being dragged and beaten by a group allegedly linked to a BJP leader.
The attack occurred shortly after Sahoo concluded a public grievance session. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers, reportedly supporters of a BJP leader who lost in the 2024 Assembly election, forcibly entered the premises, dragged the officer out of his office, and assaulted him in full public view.
Sahoo sustained injuries and later lodged a complaint with the local police. The incident has raised alarming questions about law and order under the BJP-led state government in Odisha.
Political Reactions Pour In
Former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik strongly condemned the incident. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Patnaik said:
“The officer was dragged from his office and brutally kicked and assaulted in front of a BJP corporator, allegedly linked to a defeated BJP MLA candidate. What is more appalling is that this happened in broad daylight, in the heart of the capital city of Bhubaneswar.”
Patnaik went on to question the Chief Minister’s silence and demanded immediate, exemplary action.
“I ask Chief Minister Mohan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) Ji to take immediate and exemplary action against not only those who perpetrated but also the political leaders who orchestrated and conspired this shameful attack. If a senior officer is not safe in his own office, what law and order can the citizens of Odisha expect?”
He also compared this assault to a past incident involving the ex-Governor’s son, warning that repeated failure to act would erode public faith in the government.
Public Outrage and Protests
The incident sparked immediate political and public response. On Monday evening, BJD corporators led by Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das held a protest on Janpath, one of the city’s busiest roads. The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion before police intervened and brought the situation under control.
Later, police confirmed the arrest of three individuals in connection with the attack. Authorities have assured that an investigation is underway, and more arrests may follow based on the complaint and viral footage.
A Growing Concern for Safety and Governance
This violent incident comes on the heels of a tragic stampede in the state, which had already placed the BJP government under intense scrutiny. The back-to-back controversies have raised serious questions about governance, security for public servants, and the increasing trend of political violence in Odisha.
While the BJP has yet to release an official statement, pressure is mounting on Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to break his silence and take decisive action. With the video still circulating widely online, public sentiment continues to swell against the perpetrators and those allegedly behind them.
What Happens Next?
As calls for accountability grow louder, the coming days will be crucial in determining how the state government addresses the fallout. For now, Odisha watches closely, awaiting justice for a senior officer attacked not in the streets, but within the supposed safety of his own office.
