Bhubaneswar, Jul 21: In a disturbing development from Bhubaneswar, Udit Pradhan, the Odisha Student Congress President has been arrested following a rape complaint filed by a woman who claims to be a victim of sexual assault at his hands.

The alleged incident took place on March 18, 2025, when the complainant, accompanied by two friends, met Pradhan through mutual acquaintances at Master Canteen area. Later that evening, the group travelled to a local hotel in the capital city where Pradhan and others reportedly consumed alcohol. The victim alleges she was drugged with a spiked soft drink, lost consciousness, and was sexually assaulted by Pradhan during her unconscious state.

Upon regaining consciousness, she claims to have attempted escape but was allegedly threatened with dire consequences, including death, if she spoke out. Pradhan’s political position as Student Congress President purportedly instilled fear, delaying her decision to approach the police.

However, encouraged by the ongoing justice campaign for women, the survivor found the courage to file a formal complaint at Mancheswar Police Station on July 20, 2025. Based on her detailed statement and preliminary evidence, the police have taken Pradhan into custody, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the details of the incident.

Authorities have confirmed that a formal complaint has been lodged, and the case is being treated with utmost seriousness.

"There has been an allegation by a girl student about giving an intoxicated substance in a drink and then of rape in a hotel against one Udit Pradhan. On the basis of the report submitted by the victim, FIR has been registered at the Mancheswar police station, and the accused Udit Pradhan has been arrested," informed a senior police official.

Pradhan is likely to be produced in the court during the day, said officials.

It came as a shock for the opposition Congress, which has been targeting the state government over its alleged failure to contain women atrocity cases in Odisha.

In the wake of the shameful gang-rape of a college student at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district, the self-immolation of the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student in Balasore and the recent attempt by some miscreants to kill a 15-year-old girl in Balanga area of Puri, the issue of violence against women has taken the centre stage in Odisha for the past few months.

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