Odisha Suspends Senior IPS Officer Over Misuse of Power and Misconduct

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government suspended senior IPS officer Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao on Tuesday for allegedly misusing his power and committing ‘grave misconduct.’ suspension followed reports that he forcibly entered home of a married woman inspector, according to an official statement. Uttamrao, a 2007-batch IPS officer, was serving as DIG, Fire Services & Home Guards, Odisha. 

"A complaint has been received, alleging that Pandit has disgraced dignity of his position by misusing his power last Saturday (July 27) night," said statement issued by chief minister's office (CMO).

It was alleged that Pandit misbehaved with a woman police inspector and her husband on July 27. Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh said that police action will be taken if any complaint is lodged over alleged incident.

After returning from his four-day visit to New Delhi on Monday evening, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took immediate action, CMO statement said. Majhi ordered department concerned to immediately suspend "errant senior police officer and take appropriate action against him".

"Following his order, IPS officer has been suspended," statement ded.

Odisha's Home Department has issued a notification on suspension of senior IPS officer, which said that Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha has submitted a confidential report against Pandit on incident that occurred under jurisdiction of Capital Police station on July 27.

A disciplinary proceeding against Pandit is contemplated on grounds of grave misconduct as a member of Indian Police Service (IPS), it said.

"Now, refore, Government of Odisha, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, hereby places said Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS under suspension with immediate effect," re notification.

During period of suspension, hequarters of Pandit is fixed at state police hequarters, Odisha, Cuttack and he cannot leave said hequarters without obtaining permission of DGP. He has been allowed to draw subsistence allowance as missible to him from time to time as per rules during period of suspension.

However, such allowance shall not be paid to him unless he furnishes a certificate that he is not engaged in any or employment, business, profession, or vocation as required under said rules. 

(With inputs from PTI)