Jajpur: A Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) in Odisha’s Jajpur district was arrested for allegedly threatening a journalist with death after a video showing the officer consuming liquor during a housing scheme probe surfaced.

The arrested officer was identified as PEO of Bitana Shushanta Sahu. The video, which went viral on social media, prompted journalist Ranapratap Mohapatra to report the incident. In retaliation, Sahu allegedly used abusive language and issued death threats over the phone. Following the threat, a formal complaint was lodged at Binjharpur Police Station on Monday.

The matter escalated when it was brought to the attention of the State Home Department via Twitter, prompting directives to the District Superintendent of Police to treat the case with urgency.

Journalists in Binjharpur stated a protest and threatened to launch a hunger strike if the accused was not apprehended. Police arrested Sahu and registered a case. Further investigation is underway.