A violent assault inside the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office has sparked a political row in Odisha after Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo was attacked by a group of young men during a grievance redressal session on Monday.

The attack occurred while Sahoo was chairing a public interaction in the absence of the BMC Commissioner. Suddenly, around six individuals entered his chamber and began assaulting him without warning. Videos circulating online show the officer being beaten, abused, and forcibly dragged out of the office by his shirt collar.

“The attackers are strangers to me. I will report this to the higher authorities, and an FIR will be lodged soon,” said Sahoo following the incident. He further stated, “Grievance was ongoing as it was Monday. I was taking a review as the commissioner was absent. A corporator Jivan Babu and some five to six member came to me. Then Jivan babu started asking have you misbehaved Jaga Bhai? Then I said no, I have not done any misbehaviour. After this they started manhandling me and tried to escort me into a car. I don’t know the exact cause of the assault. I don’t know the others who have attacked me.”

Civic Staff Protest, Halt Operations

Soon after the incident, civic employees stopped work and launched a protest inside the BMC office. Demanding swift arrests and better security for government officials, staff members sat in protest throughout the day. Senior BMC leaders and officials from the Commissionerate Police visited the site and assured a full-scale investigation.

Later that day, Mayor Sulochana Das and other leaders from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) organised a demonstration at Janpath, one of Bhubaneswar’s busiest roads. Traffic came to a standstill as protests intensified. Mayor Das, who was temporarily detained during the demonstration, told the press, “Nobody is safe.”

Police Case Registered, Arrests Made

Following Sahoo’s complaint, the police filed an FIR at Kharvel Nagar station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including assault, trespass, abduction, conspiracy, and attempted murder. So far, three individuals have been taken into custody: Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debashis Pradhan.

Naveen Patnaik Slams Attack, Demands Action

Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik strongly condemned the attack in a statement posted on social media platform X. He wrote:

“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.”

He continued: “What is more appalling is that this happened in broad daylight, in the heart of the capital city-#Bhubaneswar to a senior officer while he was in his office, hearing grievances of people.”

Taking aim at the new BJP-led government, Patnaik urged CM Mohan Charan Majhi to act swiftly.

“I ask @MohanMOdisha Ji to take immediate and exemplary action against not only those who perpetrated 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. If a senior officer is not safe in his own office, then what law and order will ordinary citizens expect from the Government.”

He concluded with a sharp warning: “I only hope that Shri Majhi directs immediate action to be taken to restore faith in his government and not allow this heinous act to go unpunished like the assault on an officer by the ex-Governor’s son. The people of #Odisha will not forgive this.”

Political Tensions Rise

Unconfirmed reports suggest that those involved in the assault may be connected to a local BJP leader who unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Assembly election. This has led to accusations of political interference and raised questions about the safety of public servants amid rising political hostility.

As the case unfolds, public outrage continues to grow, and pressure mounts on the state government to deliver justice and ensure accountability.