Nayagarh, June 18: The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Sarankul Police Station, Sujit Kumar Das, has been transferred to the district headquarters following serious allegations of misconduct made by a woman. A case has been registered against the officer, and an impartial investigation has been ordered.
According to police authorities, the inquiry will be conducted by the Women and Child Crime Prevention Wing to ensure a fair and transparent investigation. In view of the allegations and to maintain the integrity of the probe, the State Police Headquarters has directed the immediate transfer of the officer from Sarankul Police Station to the district headquarters.
According to the complaint, a dispute had earlier arisen between the woman’s family and some villagers over a piece of land, during which her house was allegedly damaged. The woman had approached Sarankul Police Station seeking assistance.
The complainant alleged that while assuring her of help in the case, the police officer obtained her phone number and remained in contact with her. She has alleged that after several conversations, the officer sent her objectionable photographs, used inappropriate language, and made repeated video calls during which he allegedly behaved indecently.
The woman further alleged that the officer pressured her to engage in inappropriate acts during video calls, which she refused. She has also accused him of sexually assaulting her at a rented house in Nayagarh after allegedly taking her there in his vehicle. The complaint further states that she was threatened with legal action against her family members if she disclosed the matter.
The woman also alleged that after she shared a screenshot from an objectionable video on social media, the officer forcibly took her into custody near a bank in Sarankul on May 28 and implicated her in a false case, leading to her imprisonment. She stated that she was released on bail on June 12.
Additionally, she claimed that her mobile phone was seized and that photographs and videos stored on the device were deleted.
Nayagarh Superintendent of Police Shubhendu Kumar Patra said that all allegations made by the woman have been heard and are being taken seriously. He stated that if the allegations are found to be true during the investigation, appropriate departmental and legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.
Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered against the officer and that the investigation will be conducted independently by the Women and Child Crime Prevention Wing.
The State Police Headquarters has also instructed that Sujit Kumar Das be shifted from Sarankul Police Station to the district headquarters with immediate effect pending further proceedings.
