Bhubaneswar, Aug 4: Two police personnel attached to the Bhubaneswar Mahila Police Station have been suspended after an accused allegedly assaulted a sentry and escaped from police custody. The disciplinary action was taken by Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena following a preliminary inquiry that found negligence on the part of the officers on duty.

The accused, identified as Rudra Prasad Sutar, a resident of Erada village under Sabarang Police Station in Bhadrak district, was arrested on July 30 in connection with a case involving the alleged betrayal of a young woman on the pretext of marriage. He was being held at the Mahila Police Station pending further legal proceedings.

According to police, the incident occurred on the morning of July 31 while the accused was being served breakfast. The Duty Charge Officer (DCO) had reportedly stepped away to use the washroom, leaving the sentry to supervise the accused. Taking advantage of the situation, Sutar allegedly pushed and slapped the sentry before fleeing the police station.

Following the escape, the Bhubaneswar Mahila Police lodged a complaint with the Capital Police Station, where a fresh case was registered. Multiple police teams were immediately deployed to trace and apprehend the absconding accused.

Taking serious note of the lapse, DCP Jagmohan Meena issued show-cause notices to both the Duty Charge Officer and the sentry. A preliminary departmental inquiry concluded that there had been negligence in the discharge of duty, leading to the suspension of both personnel pending further disciplinary proceedings.

Police have intensified efforts to locate and arrest the escaped accused, while the departmental inquiry into the security lapse at the Mahila Police Station continues.