Bhubaneswar: BJP's MLA candidate Prasanta Jagadev was arrested for allegedly damaging an EVM at a polling booth in Odisha's Khordha district during the third phase of the twin polls in the state on Saturday.

Jagadev had gone to the booth along with his wife to cast vote, during which he allegedly vandalized the machine.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by the concerned Presiding Officer, police detained Jagadev for questioning and later arrested him. He has been sent to judicial custody.

A case was registered against him under Sections 452, 448, 294, 354, 323, 332, 427, 171(c), 506 (i), 354 and 34 of the IPC.

The ruling BJD had moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha seeking stern action against Jagadev. In its complaint, the BJD alleged that Jagadev entered a polling booth unauthorizedly and damaged an EVM.

Jagadev also attacked the polling officials inside the booth, alleged the ruling party.

“Soon after the incident, Jagadev fled the spot by hiding in the vehicle of Aparajita Sarangi, the BJP nominee for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha segment. However, he was detained by the police near Begunia,” said BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra.

Notably, Jagadev was elected to Odisha Assembly from Chilika seat on a BJD ticket in 2019.

He was expelled from the ruling party for his alleged unruly behaviour. He later joined the BJP and got the ticket to fight the 2024 Assembly polls from Khurda seat.