Sambalpur: Police Raid Bishal Das’s D Lounge Without Search Warrant; Approaches IG

Police raid at Hotel D Lounge in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: On Thursday morning at 9 AM, a police raid was conducted at Hotel D Lounge in Sambalpur’s Bhalupali area. The raid was carried out by the Jharsuguda police, which led to a confrontation with BJD leader Vishal Das. Following this incident, Vishal met with Himanshu Lal, the IG of Northern Odisha, at the latter’s office to address the situation. Vishal Das claimed that the police had raided his hotel without a search warrant and took action without legal justification.

Concerns Over Police Actions

Vishal Das expressed his fear of the police during his meeting with the IG, citing a past incident where his father, the former Minister Naba Das, was killed by police gunfire on January 29, 2023. Vishal claimed that the police’s actions felt like a repeat of that tragic event, adding to his concerns. He also questioned the identity of an individual dressed in “half pants” who was present during the raid.

Vishal was accompanied by numerous notable leaders, including Rengali MLA Sudarshan Haripal, State BJD Secretary Sanjit Mohanty, and senior lawyer and BJD leader Tapas Ray Choudhury, all of whom attended the meeting with the IG to express their concerns.

IG’s Response

Himanshu Lal, the IG of Northern Odisha, spoke to the media, claiming that his team conducted the raid as part of an investigation and would disclose more information at the proper time. He stated that they conducted the raid in accordance with legal processes, and they did not require search warrants in this situation.

Diwali Das raises allegations

Later in the evening, former MLA Deepali Das raised serious allegations during a press conference held at a residence in Jharsuguda Sarbahal. Deepali accused the Lakera police of engaging with criminal elements while conducting the raid at her brother Vishal Das’s hotel. She claimed that the police entered the hotel unlawfully without a search warrant, and all such actions were recorded by CCTV cameras. She emphasized that these incidents were part of an ongoing threat to her family, particularly after the murder of her father, Naba Das.

Deepali sought a thorough inquiry into these allegations, as well as necessary legal action. She claimed that the recent raid put their lives in jeopardy. Other BJD supporters, including leaders Chudamani Sahu, Jagannath Jena, and committee member Sabita Agrawal, attended the news conference.

Political Fallout and Panchayat Vote

Meanwhile, political tensions are rising as the Kirmira Panchayat Samiti Chairperson, Krishnapriya Sahu, is facing a no-confidence motion. The vote for this motion will take place tomorrow. This political shift is influenced by changes in local power dynamics after the recent state power changes. Krishnapriya Sahu, who previously supported BJD, is now reportedly aligned with BJP’s legislator Tankadhar Tripathy. As a result, BJD-supported committee members have initiated the no-confidence motion against her leadership.

The ongoing developments indicate heightened political activity and potential future changes in local leadership in Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts.