Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao has been suspended on Tuesday by the Odisha government on disciplinary grounds.
As per an official statement, Pandit Rajesh, from the 2007 batch who was serving as the DIG of Fire Services and Home Guards in Odisha, has been suspended for abusing his power and “grave misconduct”.
Why Odisha IPS officer has been suspended
Pandit Rajesh has been suspended after it was reported that he forcibly entered the home of a married woman inspector of Odisha Police serving in the Bhubaneswar Economic Offences Wing of the Odisha Crime Branch and misbehaved with her. The alleged incident took place on July 27.
The state home department issued an order stating that the DGP of Odisha had submitted a confidential report about Pandit regarding the incident.
A report by The Indian Express quoted sources in police as saying that the woman inspector’s husband was also allegedly attacked, following which the IPS officer was taken away by police officials.
No formal police complaint has been lodged in connection with the alleged incident.
“A disciplinary proceeding against Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS is contemplated on the grounds of grave misconduct as a Member of the Indian Police Service. Now, therefore, the Government of Odisha, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, hereby places Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS under suspension with immediate effect,” the Home Department notification stated.
CM orders swift action
Odisha Chief Minister’s office issued a statement saying: “A complaint has been received, alleging that Pandit has disgraced the dignity of his position by misusing his power last Saturday (July 27) night.”
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who returned from four-day New Delhi visit on Monday evening, was apprised about the incident after which he acted swiftly.
CM Majhi instructed the relevant department to suspend the “errant senior police officer immediately and take appropriate action against him,” the statement by CMO stated.
During the period of suspension, Pandit Rajesh will be posted at the state police headquarters in Cuttack, Odisha.
Also, he cannot leave the headquarters without getting permission from the DGP.
As per rules, during his suspension, Pandit Rajesh will receive a subsistence allowance for which he will be required to furnish a certificate mentioning that he is not involved in any other work or business.
With inputs from agencies
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Odisha IPS officer suspended for ‘forcibly’ entering lady inspector’s house & misbehaving
