Bhubaneswar, July 21: A shocking incident has rocked Odisha’s political circles. Udit Pradhan, the Odisha state president of the Congress student wing NSUI, has been arrested on charges of raping a 19-year-old college student in a hotel in Bhubaneswar. Udit, a known face in student politics, is currently in police custody. The incident has triggered strong reactions within the NSUI and the Congress party.
According to police sources, the incident dates back to March, when the young woman was hanging out with friends at Master Canteen Chowk in Bhubaneswar. It was there that she met Udit Pradhan. After some conversation, Udit allegedly invited her to dinner at a nearby hotel. The girl accepted the invitation, unaware of what was to follow.
The girl later alleged that once they were at the hotel, Udit secretly mixed drugs into her drink. She lost consciousness shortly afterward. When she regained awareness, she realized that she had been sexually assaulted. Traumatised and mentally shattered, the girl stayed silent for some time, but finally gathered the courage to file a formal complaint with the police.
Based on her complaint, the Mancheswar Police registered an FIR and launched an investigation. Soon after, Udit Pradhan was arrested. Police have stated that a case has been filed under appropriate sections of the law, and that they are gathering evidence such as CCTV footage from the hotel, forensic samples, and medical reports. The girl has also undergone a medical examination.
Following the arrest, the central leadership of NSUI issued a statement saying that the organization has a “zero-tolerance policy” toward violence against women. As such, Udit Pradhan was immediately removed from his position and suspended from the organization pending investigation. The Congress party also condemned the incident and affirmed that no favoritism would be shown during the probe.
The BJP has seized on the incident to attack the Congress. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to social media, saying, “No matter how much Congress claims to support women’s safety, this heinous act by one of their student leaders reveals their true character.” He also claimed this is not an isolated case, but part of a disturbing pattern.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across social media and civil society. Many women's rights activists have demanded swift justice and strict punishment for the accused.
From a legal standpoint, Udit Pradhan faces charges of rape, breach of trust, and drugging with the intent to commit a sexual offense. The police have assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, and if found guilty, the accused will face the harshest punishment.
This case has shaken not just the political fraternity but society at large. A student leader, who is expected to guide the youth, stands accused of such a grave crime – it's both disgraceful and alarming. The incident has once again raised serious questions about women's safety, political accountability, and moral responsibility in leadership. All eyes are now on the investigation and whether justice will be delivered swiftly and fairly.
