Bhubaneswar: Independent MLA candidate Siba Shankar Das was arrested for attacking BJP MP candidate Pradeep Panigrahy during the first phase of polls in Odisha.

The accused was booked under section 307 of IPC.

Following the arrest, Siba Shankar Das was forwarded to the SDJM Court in Berhampur. However, his bail application was rejected by the court.

According to reports, former Berhampur Mayor Siba Shankar Das, popularly known as Pintu Das, is contesting the elections from the Berhampur Assembly seat as an independent candidate. He attacked Pradeep Panigrahy, who is the BJP MP candidate from Berhampur Parliamentary Constituency, near a polling booth at Gosani Nuagaon during polling on Monday.

He allegedly thrashed Panigrahy in the presence of security personnel following a heated argument between the duo near the booth. He reportedly sustained injuries on his chest and neck in the incident.

Panigrahy was immediately taken to the MKCG Hospital in Berhampur and then shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment.