Udit Pradhan, president of the student branch of the Congress party in Odisha, has been arrested in the alleged rape of a 19 -year -old engineering student in Bhubaneswar.
With this arrest, political response has started in the Congress party, which has been vocal in criticizing the ruling BJD government for increasing crimes against women in Odisha.
On the evening of Sunday (July 20, 2025), a girl lodged a complaint at Mancheshwar police station that on March 18, her two friends, a young man and a young woman asked her to walk. All went to Masterkantin Chowk in a car. There he found a young man who described himself as Udit Pradhan. After that, all together went to the Tounouse Hotel in Mancheshwar area.
Girl’s health deteriorated after drinking cold drink
The complaint further said that after going to the hotel, the girl was told by her friends to drink alcohol, but when the girl refused, she was given a cold drink. The girl’s health deteriorated after drinking cold drink.
When the girl told Udit that he had to go home due to ill health, Udit did not let her go and Udit said that everyone will go home soon. After that, the girl fainted for half an hour after that. When the girl regained consciousness, she saw that Udit was lying with her.
Girl kept quiet for a few days
According to the complaint, the girl suspected that something was wrong with her. When the girl asked Udit about this, Udit scared and threatened him, after which the girl went home in fear. For several days, the girl was forced to live under the shadow of fear and on Sunday the girl lodged a complaint, after which Udit has been arrested.
A complaint has been lodged in Manch a complaint in serious sections regarding this matter. Sections 64 (1), 419, 123, 296, 74, 351 (2) were imposed against Udit Pradhan. The girl’s statement has been recorded and she will be medical on Monday (July 21, 2025). Today the statement of the victim will be taken in the court.
BJP he attacked Congress
State President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Abhilash Panda said, ‘Udit Pradhan has been arrested under BJP’s zero tolerance policy. On May 27, 2024, Udit Pradhan was arrested by the Khandgiri police in a criminal case. There are many serious sections like murder, robbery and criminal intimation against him. Udit also went to jail due to these cases. Despite these cases, Udit Pradhan was made the state president of NSUI on August 13, 2024.
Abhilash Panda further said that the Congress always demands the resignation of the Chief Minister and the ministers. Will the Congress now suspend its state president? The Congress cannot disappear by suspending Udit. Meanwhile, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) constituted a six -member committee under the chairmanship of Sasmita Behera to investigate the case and submit the report to the OPCC.
Congress student branch also took action
The student branch of the Indian National Congress, the National Students Union of India (NSUI), took disciplinary action, suspended NSUI Odisha President Udit Pradhan after a rape charge against him.
(Rajinikanth’s report)