Bhubaneswar: Much-debated and alleged assault of ASO Baikuntha Pradhan, who was earlier working in Odisha Governor’s Secretariat, will be probed by Puri district Collector and a report thereof is to be submitted within 15 days, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said mediapersons today.

“During this Government’s rule, ‘law’ will be let take its course. Steps will be taken based on Puri Collector’s probe report and as per the provisions of law. No one, whoever he is, will be spared,” the Minister asserted reacting to scathing attacks made by Opposition BJD and Congress.

“This (BJP) Government is a people’s government. It is a reflection of our fight to uphold and keep alive Odia Asmita (Odia pride). Due to its inability, the 24-year-old BJD government has now become intolerant. The course of law will not be interrupted at any cost,” the Minister stated.

“Law was being interrupted during the rule of previous (BJD) government. The Opposition parties must wait with patience. It was essential that they should have listened to the Governor’s speech in Legislative Assembly during its Budget Session earlier in the day,” Minister Harichandan expressed.

It is pertinent to mention here that assistant section officer Pradhan was transferred on July 15. He was posted as such to the Home Department against the existing vacancy with immediate effect, a notification issued by the Home Department in this regard mentioned.

Before this transfer order, Pradhan was working as ASO of the Parliamentary Affairs Department.

ASO Pradhan previously alleged that he was assaulted on July 7 by the Odisha Governor’s son Lalit Kumar, including five others at Raj Bhawan in Puri.

Subsequently, Pradhan lodged an FIR in this regard on July 10 with Sea Beach police seeking justice.

Governor Raghubar Das has assured justice to the ASO’s wife Sayoji Pradhan. She met the Governor on the latter’s call to listen to her allegation, on July 13.