In a shocking incident Udit Pradhan, the Congress president of the Odisha unit of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) was arrested late Sunday night. He is the president of the student wing of the Congress party. Udit was arrested on charges of raping a 19-year-old engineering student.

The arrest came after a police complaint was filed by the survivor. The girl claims that Pradhan drugged her drink and sexually assaulted her in a hotel room earlier this year. Pradhan was taken into custody soon after the girl’s complaint. Police stated that Pradhan is expected to be produced in court on Monday. “He will be produced in court on Monday afternoon,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena.

Details of the Alleged Assault

According to the survivor’s complaint, the alleged incident occurred on March 18. This comes when the complainant, along with two friends, met Pradhan near the Master Canteen area of Bhubaneswar. They later traveled together in Pradhan’s vehicle to a hotel in Nayapalli.

The survivor further claimed that while the others drank alcohol, the victim, who does not drink, declined when asked by Pradhan. Soon she was offered a cold drink by Udit. The survivor believes that the drink was spiked with an intoxicating substance, causing her to feel dizzy.

She requested to be taken home but was allegedly prevented from leaving by Pradhan and the others. She later lost consciousness and, upon regaining it, realized she had been sexually assaulted. The complainant further alleges that Pradhan threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about the incident.

Statement of the Survivor

“He sat next to me and touched me inappropriately. They then took me to a hotel, checked into a room, and started drinking. I don’t drink, so I refused. Udit Pradhan offered me a glass of a cold drink. When I drank it, I started feeling dizzy and asked them to drop me home. I then passed out,” she said in her complaint. “When I regained consciousness, I found Udit Pradhan lying next to me. I felt pain and realised something wrong had happened to me,” the survivor said.

Months of Fear Before Filing the Complaint

The survivor revealed that she had been afraid to report the incident earlier due to threats and intimidation. After months of fear, she eventually filed a police complaint, which led to the swift action by the Mancheswar police. Following the registration of the FIR, the police arrested Pradhan the same night.

As news of the arrest spread, a group of around 50 people, including Pradhan’s family members and NSUI supporters, gathered outside the Mancheswar police station. Police restricted access to the premises to manage the situation.

NSUI Suspends Pradhan

In response to the serious allegations, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) suspended Udit Pradhan from the organisation. The organization further issued a statement emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based violence and reaffirming its commitment to accountability.

In the statement, NSUI said, “NSUI maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based injustice and is unwavering in its commitment to accountability and justice.” The suspension has sparked political controversy, especially as Congress has been vocal in criticizing the ruling BJD government in Odisha over rising crimes against women.

The recent incident follows the tragic self-immolation of a student, Soumyashree, who had protested against sexual harassment by a faculty member but was allegedly let down by authorities. The arrest adds another layer to the growing political tension in the state.

Irony of Women’s Rights Activism

The irony of the incident is that Pradhan had been a prominent figure in advocating for women’s safety in Odisha. He had participated in various protests supporting women’s rights. He had also posted support for Soumyashree, who took her own life after facing harassment. The contradiction between Pradhan’s activism and the serious allegations against him has shocked many, further intensifying public outrage.

Soumyashree wasn’t silent. She wrote letters. She filed complaints. She named her harasser.
And what did the BJP government do?
Nothing.
No action. No protection. No humanity.
This wasn’t a suicide. It was a death sanctioned by silence.#JusticeForSoumyashree

— NSUI Odisha (@NSUIOdisha__) July 15, 2025

“The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP’s system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment – but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated,” he alleged in a post on X. “Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her. As always, the BJP’s system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire,” he alleged.

Congratulations to @priyankagandhi Ji for an extraordinary lead of 4 lakh+ votes in Wayanad!

The voice of youth, women, and the marginalized will now resonate even stronger in the Indian Parliament.

A new chapter of hope and change begins!#Wayanadinte_Priyanka #Wayanadinte pic.twitter.com/Ag3KEesPKu

— Udit Pradhan (@UditPradhanINC) November 23, 2024

Pradhan’s arrest comes at a politically sensitive time, as Congress has been actively targeting the ruling BJD government for its handling of crimes against women. The arrest is likely to fuel criticism from the ruling party, which will likely use the case to undermine the opposition.

Legal Charges and Investigation

“The accused, Pradhan has been booked under various provisions, including rape and criminal intimidation, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” Police said. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and further legal actions will follow. The case is expected to have significant legal and political ramifications, with both Congress and the opposition parties bracing for the fallout.