Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan today addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged assault of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Baikuntha Pradhan. The incident reportedly involved the Governor’s son, Lalit Kumar, and occurred on July 7 at the Raj Bhavan premises in Puri.
The Law Minister told media persons that the Puri Collector has been asked to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report within 15 days.
Harichandan emphasized that the law will take its course and assured that no one will be spared if found guilty. The Minister also urged the opposition to be patient and wait for the investigation’s outcome.
“Law was being interrupted during the rule of the previous (BJD) government. The Opposition parties must wait with patience. It was essential that they should have listened to the Governor’s speech in the Legislative Assembly during its Budget Session earlier in the day,” Minister Harichandan stated.
The ‘ASO assault case’ involves Baikuntha Pradhan, an Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in the Governor’s Secretariat, who was allegedly assaulted by Lalit Kumar, the son of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, on July 7, 2024. The incident occurred at the Raj Bhavan premises in Puri while Pradhan was supervising preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit.
The case has sparked significant political controversy, with opposition parties demanding action against the Governor’s son. Odisha’s Law Minister has ordered the Puri Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report within 15 days.
