 |
|
A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in Odisha, Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, has been suspended by the state government following allegations of misconduct involving a woman inspector. The incident, which took place on Saturday in Bhubaneswar, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the conduct of senior police officials. Pandit, who holds the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), had recently returned from the United States after completing a mid-career course on public administration at Harvard Kennedy School.
According to reports from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Pandit was suspended after a confidential report detailing the incident was submitted by the Director General of Police (DGP). The CMO statement indicated that Pandit allegedly abused his position and engaged in misconduct. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi promptly took action, citing the officer's indiscipline and initiating disciplinary proceedings against him.
Sources within the DGP's office revealed that Pandit visited the woman inspector's official residence on Saturday night, leading to an altercation between the two. Pandit is alleged to have created a disturbance and misbehaved towards the inspector and her family members. Notably, neither the inspector nor her family filed a formal police complaint against him.
The home department issued an order stating that the DGP's confidential report concerning the incident, which occurred within the jurisdiction of the Capital police station, prompted the suspension. The order explicitly cites grave misconduct by Pandit as a member of the Indian Police Service as the basis for the disciplinary action. The order mandates that Pandit be placed under immediate suspension and report to the state police headquarters. He is barred from leaving without the DGP's permission.
The Capital police station confirmed that no written complaint was filed against Pandit, though a police control room vehicle was dispatched to the woman inspector's residence on Saturday due to reports of disturbances. Attempts to contact Pandit, the woman officer, and her family members for comment were unsuccessful.
This incident marks the second suspension of an IPS officer in Odisha within the last two months. In May, the Election Commission of India suspended ADG-ranked officer D S Kutey, who was then the special secretary to former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, for alleged undue interference in the conduct of elections. In July, the BJP government revoked Kutey's suspension and appointed him as an officer on special duty (OSD) in the home department.
This incident underscores the importance of addressing allegations of misconduct within the police force. The suspension of Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao reflects a commitment to upholding ethical standards within the Indian Police Service. However, the incident also raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power by senior officers and highlights the need for a comprehensive system to investigate and address such allegations effectively.
Source: IPS officer suspended in Odisha for 'misbehaving' with woman cop