“Mahindra employee, BJP worker threatens to rape and kill me”: BJD MP Sulata Deo

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sulata Deo has alleged that she received rape and death threats on social media from a man identified as Satyabrata Nayak, an employee of Mahindra Group’s Nashik branch and a self-proclaimed BJP worker.

The parliamentarian accused the police of “turning a blind eye” to her complaints despite the grave nature of the threats. Deo shared screenshots of the abusive messages on X (formerly Twitter), tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“Dear PMO India, a worker of the Mahindra company, Nasik as well as a BJP worker, openly threatens a woman MP to rape and kill. If this is the situation, imagine what happens to the unprivileged women of Odisha!” Deo wrote in a post.

The threats were reportedly triggered by Deo’s reaction to a Facebook post on the shocking death of a Puri girl who was abducted, set on fire, and later succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS Delhi. Deo had slammed the BJP-led Odisha government for the leak of the girl’s video statement and demanded accountability, which allegedly prompted Nayak’s threats.

In a separate Facebook post, Deo claimed that no action had yet been taken by the police, despite her public appeal.

Mahindra Group Responds:

Amid the growing outrage, the Mahindra Group issued a strong statement, distancing itself from the alleged actions of its employee.

“We have been made aware of certain undignified and highly inappropriate messages allegedly made by one of our employees towards a political leader on Facebook. The Mahindra Group has always enshrined the importance of human dignity from its very foundation and believes in upholding an environment of respect, with no tolerance for any breaches of these principles,” the company said.

The Anand Mahindra-led firm assured that an immediate investigation was underway and promised “strict action” if the allegations were validated.

Deo’s Response:

Reacting to Mahindra’s statement, Sulata Deo said it was “reassuring” that the company had initiated a probe but insisted she would not let the matter go unnoticed.

“I will not remain silent and fight to the core against this type of mindset against women and children. Waiting for the law agencies to take suo motu cognisance of the said matter,” the MP tweeted, adding that she would raise the issue in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament.