Paikmal (Bargarh): Paikmal Block Development Officer (BDO) Prafulla Kumar Odu has landed in controversy after a man accused him of assaulting him when he went to the block office to submit a written complaint on Monday.

According to the complainant, Gourang Charan Das, a resident of Jharjagad village in the Paikmal area, he visited the block office on Monday morning to lodge a complaint alleging proxy employees were working there, resulting in losses to the government exchequer.

Das claimed an argument broke out between him and the BDO after he submitted the complaint. He further alleged the BDO switched off the office’s CCTV cameras before assaulting him.

Following the incident, Das lodged a written complaint at Paikmal police station. Police have reportedly registered a case against the BDO in connection with the complaint under Case No. 278/2026.

Meanwhile, BDO Prafulla Kumar Odu has filed a counter-complaint at the same police station, alleging Das misbehaved with him.

With both sides filing complaints, the police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.