Four arrested in journalist assault case in Balangir; mastermind still absconding

Bhubaneswar, May 26: Four individuals, including a minor, have been arrested in connection with the brutal assault on journalist Bijay Kumar Pradhan at Kulthipali village under Puintala police limits in Odisha’s Balangir district. However, the alleged mastermind, a local contractor named Gajendra Dalai, remains on the run. Authorities are continuing efforts to trace and apprehend him.

Among those arrested are Abinash Dalai, Aditya Jena, and Gumara Nayak. The accused are reportedly linked to a controversial guard wall construction project worth ₹10 lakh in the village. Concerns had been raised over the lack of transparency, including the absence of a mandatory signboard detailing the project and allegations of corruption.

Journalist Bijay Pradhan had visited the site to investigate and gather visual evidence of the irregularities. While filming, he was ambushed by a group of assailants who tied his hands and legs, paraded him through the village, tied him to a pole, and physically assaulted him for nearly two hours.

The attackers then took him to a temple, forcing him to swear not to report the incident. They also damaged his equipment and allegedly stole cash from him. A formal complaint led to the arrests, and further investigation is ongoing.