A senior official of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was attacked on Monday during a public grievance hearing. Odisha police have arrested three people in connection with the assault.
FIR Registered, Three Arrested
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed that police have filed an FIR in the case. According to news agency ANI, the arrested individuals are Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debashis Pradhan.
Why Was the Officer Attacked?
The incident took place when a group entered the office of BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. They allegedly grabbed him by the collar and then physically assaulted him.
Videos showing the attackers kicking Sahoo and hitting him on the head quickly went viral on social media. Initial reports suggest that the group attacked Sahoo over his alleged misbehavior with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, popularly known as "Jag bhai."
Speaking to PTI, Sahoo said, "Around five or six unknown youths forcefully entered into my chamber. I thought that they have come to lodge their grievances. A corporator was also with them, who asked me whether I had misbehaved with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. With this small interaction, the group of miscreants dragged me from the office and manhandled me."
He further said the attackers tried to force him into a vehicle, suggesting a kidnapping attempt.
OAS Officers Go on Mass Leave, Staff Protest
The attack sparked protests by BMC staff and opposition corporators from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). In response, the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OAS) announced a mass leave starting July 1 as a mark of protest.
In an official letter, the association stated, “This is to formally inform you that the Odisha Administrative Service Association has unanimously resolved to proceed on a mass leave with effect from 1st July, 2025 in protest against the appalling and deplorable attack on the Additional Commissioner BMC, which occurred in broad daylight within official premises."
Opposition Demands Strict Action
Both the BJD and Congress strongly condemned the assault. BJD leader and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the incident.
"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 said. He also urged the Odisha Chief Minister to take action against the attackers and those politically responsible.
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
BJD workers held protests and called the incident a “complete failure of law and order.”
The Congress also blamed the BJP government. In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), the party wrote, "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."
ये वीडियो देखिए👇
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 30, 2025
ओडिशा के भुवनेश्वर में BJP नेता अपरूपा राउत अपने गुंडों के साथ नगर निगम के एडिशनल कमिश्नर को मार रहा है।
एडिशनल कमिश्नर रत्नाकर साहू को अगवा करने की कोशिश भी की गई। जैसे-तैसे कमिश्नर ने अपनी जान बचाई।
ये है BJP का जंगलराज, जहां अपराधी खुलेआम गुंडई कर रहे हैं। pic.twitter.com/RAEeOU6eSF
BMC Mayor Calls for Attempted Murder Case
BMC Mayor Sulochana Das also criticized the assault. She said that "nobody is safe" and demanded that the attackers face charges of attempted murder.
BJP MP Condemns the Incident
BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi responded to the attack and distanced the party from the incident.
She posted on Facebook, "We are proud of the ideology of Bharatiya Janata Party. This kind of behaviour is certainly not in line with the philosophy/ideology of the Party. I condemn this behaviour towards a Government Officer on Duty. The Law will take its course."