Odisha Governor's Son Allegedly Assaults Govt Employee At Raj Bhavan

Baikunthanath Pradhan, an assistant section officer in the state parliamentary affairs department on deputation at Odisha Raj Bhavan, has accused Lalit Das, son of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, of assaulting him.

The alleged incident took place on the night of July 7 at Puri Raj Bhavan during President Droupadi Murmu's visit for the Rath Yatra festival, reported Hindustan Times.

Photo Credit: PTI

Pradhan, in his complaint to the secretary to the governor, Saswat Mishra, stated that Lalit Das, along with five others including his personal security officers (PSOs), attacked him. Pradhan recounted, "On 7th July night at around 11.45 P.M while I was sitting in the office room, 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 abusive language."

He added, "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."

Pradhan also alleged that Lalit Das threatened him with murder if he revealed the incident to anyone. Secretary to the governor Saswat Mishra did not respond to messages seeking his comment.

While Lalit Das could not be reached for a statement, an aide to the governor dismissed the allegations as a conspiracy, stating, "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."