Is Odisha Chhatra Congress Chief Udit Pradhan Arrested on Rape Charges?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Udit Pradhan arrested for serious allegations.
- Incident raises concerns about women's safety.
- Police are conducting a thorough investigation.
- Victim's courageous report highlights the need for justice.
- Calls for action against rising violence in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar, July 21 (NationPress) In a startling turn of events, the Commissionerate Police have apprehended Udit Pradhan, the head of the Odisha Chhatra Congress (National Students Union of India), under allegations of sexually assaulting a female student.
According to the complaint filed by the victim, a case (419/25) was officially registered at the Mancheswar Police Station in Bhubaneswar last Sunday.
The victim alleges that Pradhan lured her and her friends to a hotel under the guise of an outing. It is claimed that the accused spiked her drink, leading to the assault that occurred in the hotel.
This incident transpired on March 25. Despite the time taken to report the incident, police responded promptly to the complaint.
Pradhan has been taken into custody, and authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the specifics of the event.
Officials have confirmed that a formal complaint has been made, and the matter is being handled with the highest level of seriousness.
"A female student has accused Udit Pradhan of administering a drug in her drink and subsequently raping her in a hotel. Following the victim's report, an FIR has been filed at the Mancheswar police station, resulting in Pradhan's arrest," stated a senior police official.
Pradhan is expected to appear in court later today, as per official sources.
This incident has raised significant alarm in light of the increasing incidents of violence against women in the state.
The opposition Congress party is taken aback, as it has been criticizing the state government for its inadequacies in addressing women's safety in Odisha.
Recent events, including the horrific gang-rape of a college student at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district, the self-immolation of a student from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, and a recent attack on a 15-year-old girl in the Balanga area of Puri, have brought the issue of violence against women to the forefront in Odisha.