Odisha: Arrested BJP MLA abused officers, damaged property at polling booth, say police

Khorda (Odisha) [India], May 26 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Prashant Jagdev, who was arrested by the Odisha Police on Sunday, had allegedly entered the polling booth and misbehaved with the presiding and polling officers, an official said.
Jagdev, who is an MLA from Chilika assembly constituency, was arrested on charges of allegedly toppling an electronic voting machine (EVM) and assaulting two polling personnel during Saturday's polling.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Awinash Kumar said Jagdev misbehaved and abused the officials, and also damaged the VVPAT control units inside the booth.
"MLA Chilika Assembly and MLA candidate for Khorda Assembly entered the booth after breaking the queue. Then, he has shown misbehaviour with the presiding officer and the polling officer. He also abused the government officials there. He damaged the VVPAT control unit. On the basis of this, a case was registered and thereafter, the MLA was taken to the court," the DIG told ANI.
He said that the district election officer has been requested to provide the footage of the booth, where the alleged altercation happened.
"The footage in the booth is the property of the Election Commission of India, and in this connection, the District Election Officer has been requested to provide the footage. As of now, based on the statement of the presiding officer, the investigation has been done and action has been taken as per the law," Kumar added.
BJP leader Prasanta Kumar Jagadev has been fielded from Khurda Lok Sabha constituency against BJD leader Rajendra Kumar Sahu.
His arrest comes amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections in Odisha.
Assembly elections are being held in the state simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in the state.
The 2024 Indian general election in Odisha is being held in four phases to elect 21 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)