Sambalpur: In a major embarrassment to BJP, Sambalpur unit, a contractor alleged coerced bribery and physical assault by district BJP president Girish Patel and his aide, Saroj Ghadai. A contractor in Sambalpur filed a complaint at Town police station alleging that Patel demanded 8% commission in three contract works.
As per the complainant, Prasanta Kumar Dani (60), Girish Patel called him to his house on Tuesday and demanded the commission.Prasanta said he will pay after billing. However, Girish demanded a cheque immediately. The FIR reads, “After the conversation, Girish Patel abused the complainant (Prasanta) in obscene language, dragged him by his collar, assaulted and threatened to kill him. Tuku Mohanty who lives with Girish Patel helped the complainant and took him out of the room.”
Thereafter, one Saroj Ghadai along with another person went to Prasanta’s house and demanded the cheque. The complainant gave them a cheque of Rs 75,000. They told that they won’t accept the cheque as at 8% the total commission stood at Rs 1,40,000, according to the police complaint. Dani said, “It was a deal of 5% but they demanded 8%. As I have not received the amount from the contract, I gave them Rs 75,000 cheque from my pocket.”
When TOI contacted Girish Patel, he said, “The complainant and Saroj Ghadai are both familiar to me. They asked for my suggestion to resolve the commission issue. As the incident took place at my home, my name is coming up. Police are investigating. These are all fake allegations. I have never physically assaulted anyone”.
SDPO (Sadar) Tophan Bag said the matter is being probed.

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