Odisha governor's son accused of beating government employee

Raghubar Das, Odisha governor’s son, Lalit Kumar, has been accused of beating a government employee, Baikunthanath Pradhan, serving at Raj Bhavan. Baikunthanath is an assistant section officer of the Odisha Parliamentary Affairs Department assigned to Raj Bhavan (the official residence of the Odisha governor).

The employee Baikunthanath alleged Lalit for assaulting him last week when during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Puri. He complained about this alleged incident to the governor’s secretary, Saswat Mishra.

Meanwhile, the victim’s wife Sayoj said Baikunthanath informed about this incident verbally to Saswat on July 8. But he did not take action. They also went to Sea Beach police station on July 11 but their complaint was rejected. So, they sent a written complaint in a letter to the police.

*Sajoy showing written complaint to media which police rejected most likely due to the power of governor*

Baikunthanath complained that Lalit, with five other men, assaulted him in Puri Raj Bhavan on July 7, 2024. His personal security officers also participated in an assault attack against him.

President Droupadi was at Puri Raj Bhavan for the Rath Yatra event from July 7 afternoon to July 8 morning. Hence, Baikunthanath has been in charge of Raj Bhavan in Puri since July 5 to look after the preparation plans for President Droupadi.

However, Baikunthanath claimed in his complaint that Lalit assaulted him while he was on duty on July 7 night. According to him, the personal chief of Governor Aakash Singh visited his office at approximately 11:45 p.m.

*Victim Baikunthanath, 47-year-old, with his complaint against Lalit*

Aakash informed him that Lalit wanted to meet him in Room No.4. When he arrived, Lalit slapped him and used abusive language. Following that, he attempted to escape the room in a state of helplessness and hid behind the Annexe building.

But Lalit’s two guards found him and dragged him through the elevator to Room No.4. Lalit and his five allies began slapping, punching, and kicking him on all parts of his body once more.

They also twisted his left ankle. Lalit allegedly threatened to kill him if he revealed this incident to anybody. He revealed Lalit humiliated and beat him because he did not send two luxury cars to receive him at Puri railway station.

Odisha governor's son accused — *Accused Odisha governor’s son, Lalit Kumar*

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Lalit also forced him to lick his shoes during assaulting him. However, Baikunthanath Pradhan did not talk with the media directly about the incident in which he accused the Odisha governor’s son of assaulting him.

Moreover, Saswat Mishra did not respond to the media asking for his opinion. On the other hand, the governor’s advisor called this whole incident a “plot.”

According to an advisor, the matter is between the complainant and the cook of Raj Bhavan. There have been several issues regarding him in the past. Hence, there is no involvement of Lalit Kumar in this incident.