Bhubaneswar Police arrested Udit Pradhan, Odisha state president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), on Sunday evening, over sexual assault allegations filed by a young woman.
According to the survivor’s FIR, she met Pradhan through friends during an outing at Master Canteen Square on March 25. The group later visited a hotel in Nayapalli in Pradhan’s car. She alleged that he touched her inappropriately, and after reaching the hotel, she was offered a soft drink that made her dizzy and unconscious.
“When I regained consciousness, I found Udit Pradhan lying beside me. I was in pain and realised something wrong had happened,” she stated. The survivor also claimed that Pradhan threatened her when confronted, leading to a delay in filing the complaint due to fear.
A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 64(1) (rape), 123 (intoxicating a victim), 296 and 74 (obscene behaviour), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation).
Following his arrest, NSUI immediately suspended Pradhan, stating its zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based violence and emphasizing its commitment to justice.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) also constituted a six-member panel, headed by Sasmita Behera, to conduct an internal investigation and submit findings to party leadership.
This incident highlights growing concerns over safety, misuse of influence, and the importance of survivor support in legal processes.