TV
Odisha police, on Monday, registered an FIR against former Odisha minister and senior BJD leader Pritiranjan Gharai for allegedly inciting a law and order disruption during a road blockade staged following a fatal road accident in Kalinga Nagar Industrial Area.in Jajpur.
According to reports, a total of 21 individuals, including Gharai and several BJD workers, have been booked under 11 sections of law.
Protest After Fatal Accident Turns Into FIR
The case stems from a protest held on July 27 near Khurunti Chhak in the Kalinga Nagar industrial belt of Jajpur district. Following a tragic road accident that claimed a life, locals staged a prolonged blockade of the road, demanding action and compensation.
During the protest, Gharai and other party members reportedly joined the agitators. According to police, the situation escalated when inflammatory speeches were allegedly made that incited the crowd, leading to a breakdown in law and order.
Police File Suo Motu Case with 11 Charges
On July 28, a day after the incident, the Kalinga Nagar police registered a suo motu case against Gharai and 20 others. The charges include incitement of public disorder, obstruction of public movement, and violation of law under various sections and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
While police have yet to disclose the specific sections, sources confirm that the FIR includes provisions related to unlawful assembly, provocation with intent to cause riot, and other offences linked to the disruption of public order.
Political Ramifications Amid Tension
The filing of an FIR against a senior BJD leader is likely to stir political conversations in the region. Though no arrests have been made as of now, the opposition is headed to troubling times, given that its Bhubaneswar corporator, Amaresh Jena, was also arrested this week.
Neither Gharai nor his party has officially responded to the allegations at the time of this report. The development comes at a politically sensitive time.
Police have maintained that their action was based on video footage and ground reports from the scene. Investigation is ongoing, and further action may follow depending on the evidence collected.
