Bhubaneswar: Udit Pradhan, the president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Odisha, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old engineering student in a hotel in Bhubaneswar. PTI reported that the incident took place on March 18 but only came to light after the woman lodged a complaint at Mancheswar Police Station on Sunday (July 20).
‘Spiked the drink, threatened with dire consequences’
According to reports, the student said in her statement that she had met two friends at the Master Canteen Chowk in Bhubaneswar. While they were talking in a parked car, a man who identified himself as Udit Pradhan joined them. He introduced himself as the state president of NSUI. She alleged that he sat beside her and behaved inappropriately.
Later, the group went to a nearby hotel, booked a room and started drinking. The student said she refused alcohol, but Pradhan handed her a cold drink. “After drinking it, I began to feel dizzy and asked them to take me home. I then lost consciousness,” she stated in her complaint. “When I woke up, I found Pradhan lying next to me. I was in pain and realised something had happened to me.”
The student also alleged that Pradhan threatened her with serious consequences if she told anyone.
According to reports, the police confirmed that an FIR had been registered and the accused was taken into custody on Sunday. “The case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rape and criminal intimidation,” a senior police officer said.
Political row intensifies
The arrest comes at a time when the Congress is attacking the BJP-led Odisha government over its handling of crimes against women. The Leader of the Opposition recently accused the state government of failing to protect the Balasore college student who died after self-immolating in protest over inaction on the sexual harassment complaint she had filed.
[With inputs from Agencies]