19 witnesses depose in BJD leader attack probe

Nineteen of the 20 witnesses who had filed affidavits before central division Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) in connection with the alleged attack on BJD leader Hussain Rabi Gandhi turned up to depose and record their statements.

RDC Arabinda Padhee is conducting an administrative enquiry into the June 20 attack on Gandhi, who is also the editor of monthly Odia journal 'Utkal Prasanga' published by state information and public relations department.

Gandhi was allegedly attacked by supporters of Korei BJD MLA Priti Ranjan Ghadei when he had visited Korei to attend a party workers meeting.

Gandhi had sustained grievous injuries and his vehicle was badly damaged. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered the inquiry into the unsavoury incident.

The RDC after visiting the spot last month had invited affidavits from all those who had wished to make their statements recorded. Accordingly, 20 persons, including Gandhi himself and local police had filed affidavits, officials said.

Yesterday, barring one, all the witnesses deposed before the RDC, they said.

Deposing yesterday, Gandhi demanded before the RDC that the telephone calls of Korei MLA and his MLA father Prafulla Chandra Ghadei made on June 20 and June 21 should be examined to ascertain what circumstances led to the incident and who were involved in it.