Student Congress President Udit Pradhan Arrested for Rape After Allegedly Drugging Woman in Bhubaneswar Hotel
Victim alleges she was spiked with a soft drink and assaulted; Pradhan suspended from Youth Congress following arrest
Bhubaneswar: Udit Pradhan, the president of the Odisha unit of the Chhatra Congress (Student Congress), was arrested late Sunday night by Mancheswar police on charges of raping a young woman after allegedly drugging her with a soft drink at a hotel in Bhubaneswar’s Nayapalli area.
According to police sources, the arrest follows a detailed complaint filed by the victim, who stated that the incident occurred on March 18 this year. On that day, she was out with a female friend and a classmate when they encountered Pradhan at Master Canteen Square. The classmate introduced Pradhan to the group, and all four later went to a nearby hotel in Pradhan’s vehicle.
At the hotel, the group consumed alcohol, but the victim refused to drink. Instead, she accepted a soft drink offered by Pradhan. She later began to feel dizzy, which she believes was due to the drink being spiked with a sedative. When she asked to be taken home, Pradhan and the others allegedly prevented her from leaving. She eventually lost consciousness.
Upon regaining consciousness, the woman realized that she had been sexually assaulted. When she confronted Pradhan, he allegedly threatened her and warned of severe consequences if she spoke out. The victim said she was initially too scared to report the crime due to Pradhan’s political influence as a student leader. However, she later gathered the courage to file a formal complaint.
Following the arrest, around 50 supporters of Pradhan—including family members and members of the Student Congress—gathered outside the Mancheswar police station.
Police have registered a case under five serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023. Officials have confirmed that Pradhan will be produced in court today.
The Commissionerate Police has assured that the victim will be provided necessary security. Investigations are underway, and two others who were present at the hotel—one male and one female—will be questioned. Hotel staff are also expected to be included in the inquiry, and CCTV footage from the premises will be reviewed, said Zone 5 ACP Bishwaranjan Senapati.
Meanwhile, following his arrest, Udit Pradhan has been suspended from both his position in the Youth Congress and the party itself.
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