Odisha BJP leader booked for allegedly assaulting lady cop
Odisha Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Jayanarayan Mishra ignited a fresh controversy by reportedly assaulting a woman police inspector and accusing her of taking bribes during a protest in Sambalpur on Wednesday. However, the Leader of the Opposition in Odisha has since played down the charge and alleged that Anita Pradhan, the Dhanupali Police Station Inspector in charge, had shoved him instead.
Here's how situation escalated during a protest by BJP workers
The incident occurred when Mishra was heading a rally of BJP workers against the deterioration in the law and order situation in Odisha after the recent murder of the state's health minister Naba Kishore Das. The BJP MLA and his party workers were stopped by the cops when they tried to gherao the collector's office, after which Mishra allegedly slapped the woman inspector.
Was taken aback when the MLA slapped me: Pradhan
According to the inspector, she was attempting to step aside when a team of BJP workers started advancing toward the office of the collector. "I came face-to-face with Mishra, who asked me for my credentials. He then started hurling abuses at me which I protested. I was taken aback when the MLA slapped and pushed me," Pradhan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Mishra charged under multiple IPC Sections
Since the incident, the female police inspector has officially filed a case against the BJP MLA. Mishra has been reportedly charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 294 (obscene acts/words in public), 332 (causing hurt to deter public servant voluntarily from their duty), 353 (assault/criminal force to deter public servant), 354 (assault/criminal force to woman with intent to outrage their modesty), and 500 (defamation).
Mishra claims Pradhan stamped his foot, pushed him
Meanwhile, Mishra claimed that the police misbehaved with BJP's women members, and when he asked the police about it, Pradhan stamped on his foot and shoved him. He said: "When I told the inspector that she is the same person who is involved in corruption, she again pushed me." Mishra also claimed the party workers were protesting against the state's law and order conditions.
Sambalpur SP sought report on Wednesday's incident
"This incident clearly indicates the prevailing atmosphere in the state. I suspect she might have acted at someone's behest," alleged the BJP leader. He also stated, "If a police inspector can push the leader of Opposition, then the high-handedness of the police department can be easily gauged." Meanwhile, Battula Gangadhar, Sambalpur superintendent of police, said he has sought a report on the incident.
Video showing tussle between Mishra, female officer goes viral
Shreemayee Mishra, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spokesperson, has also demanded the removal of Mishra as the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly after the clip went viral on social media. "He is known for threatening and assaulting people. Today, he again assaulted an on-duty police officer. The video of this shocking assault is there for all to see," she said.
Video footage of the incident
Mishra's previous comments on Odisha Police
Earlier this month, Mishra grabbed the headlines after giving up his personal security officers following the state's health minister's killing. "A policeman on duty killed a cabinet minister. I can't trust Odisha Police in such a situation," he told the Times of India. "That's why I asked my two personal security officers not to come for my security duty any more," he added.
Mishra calls BJD's Shardhanjali Sabha for Das a drama
Last week, Mishra accused the ruling BJD of creating a drama out of Naba Kishore Das' killing and turning it into a political event. "I am unable to figure out if it is really a Shradhanjali Sabha or a drama. It is surprising that they have organized it on the 12th day rituals with political motive," the MLA was quoted as saying by Odishabytes.
