• Source:JND
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The wife of an Odisha government employee working on deputation in Raj Bhavan in Puri has alleged that her husband was assaulted and beaten up by Odisha governor Raghubar Das’ son and five others during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Puri last week, on July 7. Interacting with the media, Sayoj Pradhan alleged that her husband Baikunthanath Pradhan, was beaten up because he did not send a luxury vehicle to pick up the governor's son. She demanded legal action on the alleged attack on her husband. However, there is no official confirmation either from the Raj Bhavan or police regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, Baikunthanath Pradhan, who is an assistant section officer of state parliamentary affairs department deputed to the Raj Bhavan, in his complaint to secretary to the governor Saswat Mishra alleged that Lalit Das, the son of Governor, assaulted him in Puri Raj Bhavan on the night of July 7 in association with five others, including his personal security officers.

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President Murmu was present in Puri Raj Bhavan between July 7 afternoon and July 8 morning for the famous Rath Yatra festival. Being the in-Charge of Raj Bhavan, Puri, Pradhan was there since July 5 to supervise the arrangements at Raj Bhavan for the President’s visit.

In his complaint, Pradhan alleged that Lalit Kumar attacked him on July 7 night while he was on duty.

"On 7th July night at around 11.45 P.M while I was sitting in the office room, the personal cook of Odisha Governor Aakash Singh came to my office and told me that Lalit Kumar wanted to meet him at Suite No-4. When I went there, Lalit Kumar started slapping me and used absusive language. Feeling helpless, I started running out of the room and hid behind the Annexe building. However, the two PSOs of Lalit Kumar found me and dragged me to Room No. 4 through the lift. Security Personnel and others present there have witnessed this incident. They again started slapping, blowing punches on his face, kicking every part of his body and twisted my left ankle,” said Pradhan in his complaint. Pradhan also alleged that Lalit Kumar threatened him of murder if he spoke about the incident to anyone.

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An aide of the governor has described the whole event as a conspiracy. “The matter is between the cook of Raj Bhavan and the complainant. There have been several issues in the past regarding him. However, the governor's son is no way involved,” said the aide, as quoted by an Hindustan Times report.

(With Agency Inputs)