Odisha Governor's son allegedly beaten up Raj Bhawan employee

A Raj Bhawan employee in Odisha's Puri has alleged that he was beaten up and threatened by Governor Raghubar Das's son and five others on the night of July 7. However, Raj Bhawan, the Governor or the police gave no official confirmation of the alleged incident.

In a formal complaint filed on July 8, the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) employed at Raj Bhawan, Baikuntha Pradhan, accused Lalit Kumar, the Governor's son, of brutally assaulting him during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Puri Raj Bhawan on July 7 and 8. The alleged assault occurred at 11:45 pm on July 7, the complaint said.

According to Baikuntha Pradhan's complaint addressed to the Chief Secretary to the Governor, Akash Singh, Das's personal chef conveyed that Lalit Kumar wished to meet him.

When Baikuntha Pradhan arrived at Lalit Kumar's room, the latter allegedly verbally abused the government employee and physically assaulted him in a protracted attack involving slapping, kicking and punching that lasted till 4:30 am on July 8, the complaint stated.

Baikuntha Pradhan’s complaint detailed that he attempted to escape and sought refuge in an annex room, but Lalit Kumar's personal security officers forcibly brought him back.

The government employee alleged that Lalit Kumar threatened him, saying that no one would save him if he was killed. Meanwhile, Baikuntha Pradhan's wife Sayoj Pradhan demanded legal action against the accused over the alleged attack on her husband.