Odisha MLA Pradeep Maharathy arrested

Puri: Pipili MLA Pradeep Maharathy was today arrested in connection with the attack on a poll flying squad in Pipili area of Odisha’s Puri district last night.

Maharathy, who is also an MLA candidate for the Pipili assembly seat, has been arrested under Sections 307, 353, 341, 332, 147, 148, 149, 188, 294, 333, 171 (B) & 506 of the IPC and 123 of Representation of the People Act.

Earlier in the day, he was questioned at the Pipili police station. The development comes a day before the third phase of polls for six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly seats, including Pipili, slated for tomorrow.

A flying squad, a static surveillance team and a video surveillance team had raided a farmhouse in Pipili around 12.30 AM after getting information that a feast was being arranged along with distribution of money to influence voters.

Some miscreants launched attack on the three teams leaving five officials injured. The victims have been identified as flying squad officer Rabi Narayan Patra, videographers Purna Chandra Dash & Sushant Pradhan and two others.

On the other hand, Maharathy has denied his complicity in the incident. “A verbal duel and scuffle took place between a person present at the farmhouse and the officials after they entered the premises. I am deeply saddened by the incident,” he said.