Has Odisha Student Congress Leader Been Arrested for Rape?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Udit Pradhan arrested for serious allegations.
- Incident highlights safety concerns in student organizations.
- Police have begun a thorough investigation.
- Victim's testimony crucial for the case.
- Calls for better accountability among student leaders.
Bhubaneswar, July 21 (NationPress) The President of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) in Odisha, Udit Pradhan, has been apprehended by the Mancheswar Police in Bhubaneswar for allegedly committing rape against a 19-year-old female engineering student after he reportedly spiked her soft drink with sedatives.
NSUI serves as the student wing of the Congress party.
As per police reports, Udit was taken into custody late Sunday evening and is expected to be presented in court on Monday. This arrest came after a formal complaint was filed by the victim.
The First Information Report (FIR) indicates that the incident took place on March 18. The victim, along with a female friend and a male classmate, had visited Master Canteen Square.
At that location, her friend introduced them to Udit Pradhan. They later went to a hotel in the Nayapalli area using Udit’s vehicle.
While at the hotel, the group consumed alcohol, but the victim opted not to drink. According to her statement, Udit allegedly offered her a soft drink that he had secretly mixed with intoxicants, according to police sources.
Shortly after drinking, the victim began to feel lightheaded and asked to be taken home. However, Udit and the others allegedly declined her request, and she soon lost consciousness.
According to sources, once she regained consciousness, the victim discovered that Udit had allegedly sexually assaulted her. When she confronted him, he reportedly threatened her with severe repercussions should she dare to report the incident.
Despite the delay in her complaint, the police have launched a comprehensive investigation due to the seriousness of the allegations.
Officials have confirmed that further inquiries are ongoing, with additional information expected to be released as the investigation unfolds.
This incident follows closely after the arrest of Trinamool Congress student leader Monojit Mishra for allegedly raping a female student from the South Calcutta Law College in West Bengal.
In that case, the woman was reportedly assaulted by two senior students and an alumnus in the guard's room on June 25.