An Odisha state government employee who is working on deputation at Odisha Raj Bhavan has accused Lalit Das, the son of Governor Raghubar Das, of assaulting him during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Puri last week.

Baikunthanath Pradhan, an assistant section officer of the state parliamentary affairs department assigned to the Raj Bhavan, filed a complaint with the governor’s secretary, Saswat Mishra. Pradhan alleged that Lalit Das, along with five others, including his personal security officers, assaulted him at Puri Raj Bhavan on the night of July 7. President Murmu was staying at Puri Raj Bhavan from the afternoon of July 7 to the morning of July 8 for the Rath Yatra festival. Pradhan, being in charge of Raj Bhavan in Puri, had been there since July 5 to oversee preparations for the President’s visit.

In his complaint, Pradhan stated that he was attacked by Lalit Kumar while on duty. “On the night of July 7, around 11:45 PM, while I was in the office room, Aakash Singh, the personal cook of the Odisha Governor, came to my office and told me that Lalit Kumar wanted to meet me in Suite No-4. When I arrived, Lalit Kumar began slapping me and using abusive language. Feeling helpless, I ran out of the room and hid behind the Annexe building. However, Lalit’s two PSOs found me, dragged me to Room No. 4 through the lift, and continued to slap, punch, and kick me, twisting my left ankle,” Pradhan alleged in his complaint. He also claimed that Lalit Kumar threatened to kill him if he disclosed the incident.

The copy of the complaint has been reviewed. Pradhan declined to speak about the matter. Saswat Mishra, the governor’s secretary, did not respond to repeated messages from the media.

Though Lalit Das was unavailable for comment, an aide to the governor described the incident as a conspiracy. “The matter is between the Raj Bhavan’s cook and the complainant. There have been several issues regarding him in the past. However, the governor’s son is not involved,” said the aide.