BMC official assault case: Court grants bail to BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan

In a major development in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo assault case, BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan has been granted bail by the Khordha District and Sessions Court on Wednesday. 

Pradhan had earlier surrendered before the Bhubaneswar DCP office on Thursday night, after which he was taken into custody by the police. He was subsequently produced before the SDJM Court in Bhubaneswar. He was subsequently sent to a 14-day judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected.

According to police sources, Pradhan was arrested based on the FIR, the statement of the complainant, and preliminary evidence gathered during the investigation. A number of serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had been invoked against him.

These include Sections 121(1), 121(2), 132, 189(2), 190, 3(5), 304/333, 351(2), 54/61(2), and 62 of the BNS, which relate to offenses such as assault on public servants, obstructing government work, and causing grievous hurt.

With the Khurda Court now granting bail, Pradhan is expected to be released from judicial custody, pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

Earlier, police arrested six persons in connection with the case. While Pradhan was granted bail today, the hearing of the bail petition of the other five accused is scheduled to be held on July 15.

Also Read | BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan arrested in BMC official assault case, sent to 14-day judicial custody

“The District and Sessions Court has granted bail to Jagannath Pradhan on security of Rs 30,000. The Court asked the government counsel to produce the telephonic conversation between Pradhan and Sahoo. But he failed to produce it in the Court. As there was no evidence, the Court granted bail,” said advocate Suresh Kumar Sahoo.