The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Monday announced a fact-finding committee to probe rape allegations against the NSUI&rsquo;s state president, Udit Pradhan, who has been suspended by the student wing.
OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das directed the panel to investigate the case thoroughly, engage with the survivor, and submit a comprehensive report to the state party office as soon as possible.
The committee includes Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, OPCC Secretary Dr. Debasmita Sharma, former MLA candidate Sonali Sahoo, OPCC spokespersons Jayashree Patra and Manisha Das Pattnaik. OPCC Vice President Sasmita Behera has been appointed as the committee's chairperson.
In a separate move, NSUI national president Varun Choudhury suspended Udit Pradhan with immediate effect, pending inquiry. The statement emphasized that NSUI follows a zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based injustice and remains committed to accountability and justice. The statement also said that the organization will continue its fight for justice for the Balasore victim.
Pradhan was arrested by Mancheswar Police in Bhubaneswar for allegedly raping a 19-year-old engineering student after allegedly lacing her soft drink with an intoxicant.
Police officials confirmed that he was detained late Sunday night and would be presented in court on Monday. The arrest followed a formal complaint filed by the survivor on Sunday.
According to ACP Biswa Ranjan Senapati, the incident occurred on March 18, when the survivor went out with her boyfriend. During the outing, Udit Pradhan joined them in a car. She initially did not recognize him but later learned of his position as NSUI state president.
The trio went to a hotel in the Mancheswar area where a party was held. The girl was allegedly given a drug-laced soft drink by Pradhan. When she felt uneasy and requested to go home, her condition worsened, and her boyfriend reportedly left.
The survivor later claimed that when she regained consciousness, she realized she had been sexually assaulted. She said she was threatened to remain silent, which kept her from coming forward earlier.
Police have questioned two individuals allegedly present during the incident and identified four people in total. The investigation is examining the roles of others.
Officials are analyzing CCTV footage from the hotel and reviewing room booking records to verify who reserved the room. Authorities are also working to locate hotel staff, other guests, and any digital evidence related to the case. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Odisha NSUI Leader Held in Rape Case, Suspended

Congress forms probe panel after NSUI leader’s arrest for alleged rape of student

Odisha NSUI Leader Held in Rape Case, Suspended

Congress forms probe panel after NSUI leader’s arrest for alleged rape of student

July 21, 2025 | 14:38 IST