Bhubaneswar, Aug 26: The Odisha Crime Branch has intensified its efforts to arrest former Saranakul police station IIC Sujit Kumar Das, who is wanted in connection with an alleged rape case.

A non-bailable warrant (NBW) has reportedly been issued against Das, who has remained absconding since the case was registered. Multiple Crime Branch teams have launched searches at various locations in and around Bhubaneswar in an effort to trace him.

A five-member team has reportedly been formed under the leadership of a Crime Branch DSP to track down and arrest the former police officer. Investigators have also conducted a raid at his residence in Bhubaneswar.

Allegations against former IIC

The case reportedly relates to a land dispute involving a woman’s family and local villagers. According to the complaint, Das, who was then serving as the IIC of Saranakul police station, allegedly obtained the woman’s phone number while offering to help resolve the dispute.

The woman has alleged that instead of assisting her with the matter, the police officer took advantage of her situation and allegedly sexually assaulted her at different locations.

She further alleged that she was subsequently arrested in a false case and was threatened with further legal action against her father and brother if she disclosed the alleged incidents.

After the woman approached the Nayagarh Superintendent of Police, Das was initially transferred to the district police headquarters.

The Director General of Police later suspended him from service on June 22.

The Crime Branch has now stepped up its search for Das following the issuance of the non-bailable warrant. Despite raids at multiple locations, he remains untraced, according to the available information.