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Incident Overview

Bhubaneswar: Following the assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo, BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan disclosed that he had summoned Sahoo due to a complaint from a female sanitation worker in Ward 34.

Pradhan stated that the sanitation worker accused Sahoo of inappropriate behavior and exerting pressure regarding her political affiliations.

He mentioned, “I reached out to him because he allegedly reprimanded the woman for attending a BJP rally.”

When Pradhan confronted Sahoo about the incident, the officer reportedly retorted, “Who are you to question me?”

The sanitation worker at the heart of this issue, Rebati Raut, has also made serious claims.

In her media statements, Raut alleged that she faced threats of termination for organizing a group of 60 to 70 individuals to participate in a recent rally led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Raut recounted, “He warned me that I would be dismissed if I continued my support for the BJP,” referring to Sahoo. After informing Pradhan about the threat, he reached out to the BMC officer.

On the day of the altercation, Sahoo explained that he was addressing grievances in the absence of the commissioner.

He recounted, “Around noon, Corporator Jiban Babu and a group of five or six men arrived. I assumed they were there to file a complaint.”

Sahoo continued, “Jiban Babu inquired about my conversation with Jaga Babu (MLA Jagannath Pradhan), and I replied that I hadn’t disclosed anything.”

He stated, “They questioned me about any misconduct, to which I denied. Then, they began to forcibly pull me towards a vehicle and manhandled me.”

Sahoo has called for stringent measures regarding this incident.

He also mentioned that during a phone call with Pradhan, they discussed an inquiry report related to a Swachh Saathi.

Sahoo clarified, “When he inquired about the report, I informed him that I had submitted it to the commissioner.”

When asked if the Swachh Saathi had been dismissed, he confirmed that while a report was filed, no action had been taken yet.

He explained that the inquiry was initiated based on a complaint from a corporator alleging that the sanitation worker from Ward 34 was not fulfilling her responsibilities adequately.