The BJP on Saturday demanded arrest of former Kendrapada SP Satish Gajbhiye, who has been transferred after the violence, for brutally assaulting public including Kendrapada BJP district president Duryodhan Sahu, on Friday.
At a Press meet here, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said his party would not sit silent till Gajbhiye is arrested. “Only transfer can’t help; he has to be arrested at the soonest,” he demanded.
He alleged that Gajbhiye was highly drunk and created a riot-like situation. A tribal student, who was going to college, was severely beaten by the police led by the SP, he said.
Mohapatra said Gajbhiye was the mediator between Sarathi and chit fund accused Sagar Ray during a land deal finalised in Bhubaneswar. He was working as agent of Baba’s clandestine operations, he alleged.
He also alleged that the State Government had sanctioned fund for the Sarathi Ashram in 2011-12 from its Special Problematic Fund. Even some BJD leaders and Ministers had recommended to the Government to make the Sarathi Ashram a tourist place. “The Chief Minister should come forward to clarify on this matter if his Government is transparent,” said the BJP leader.
Mohapatra and BJP State president KV Singh Deo demanded court-monitored probe of the Sarathi scandal as they believe the State Crime Branch could not bring out the truth. They also announced that the BJP would wholeheartedly support lawyers’ State-wide strike on August 10 protesting the attack and arrest of Duryodhan Sahu.