‘Grave misconduct’: Odisha government suspends IPS officer for forcibly entering married woman’s house | Latest news from India

The Odisha state government on Tuesday suspended senior IPS officer Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao for alleged abuse of power and “serious misconduct” after reports that he forcibly entered the house of a married woman inspector and misbehaved, an official statement said.

Uttamrao, a 2007 batch, worked as DIG of Fire and Home Guard Services in Odisha.

He was accused of behaving inappropriately with a woman police inspector and her husband on July 27. Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh stated that the police would take action if a complaint was lodged about the incident.

The state home department issued an order saying that the Attorney General of Odisha had submitted a confidential report to Pandit on the incident.

An order issued by the state home department said that the Odisha state Director General had submitted a confidential report on the incident against Pandit. “As disciplinary action is being considered against Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS, for serious misconduct as a member of the Indian Police Service, the Government of Odisha, therefore, under the powers conferred on it under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, suspends the said Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS with immediate effect,” it said.

A statement from the CM’s office said, “A complaint has been received alleging that Pandit has dishonoured the dignity of his office by abusing his power last Saturday (July 27).”

After returning from his four-day visit to New Delhi on Monday evening, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reacted promptly, according to a statement issued by the CMO. Majhi directed the department concerned to “immediately suspend the erring senior police officer and take appropriate action against him.”

Disciplinary action has been initiated against Uttamrao for serious misconduct as an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS).

During his suspension, Uttamrao’s headquarters will be the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack, Odisha. He cannot leave the headquarters without the permission of the DGP. During his suspension, he will be given daily allowance as per rules. However, he will get this only if he produces a certificate stating that he is not engaged in any other work or business.