Nayagarh: Sarankul Police Station Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Sujit Kumar Das has been transferred to the District Police Headquarters in Nayagarh after a woman lodged a complaint accusing him of rape and abuse of authority, police said on Thursday.
Nayagarh Superintendent of Police (SP) Suvendhu Kumar Patra, said a case has been registered against Das at Sarankul Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has been assigned to investigate the allegations. The transfer was ordered pending inquiry into the complaint to avoid conflict of interest.
According to the complainant, she had approached Sarankul Police Station seeking protection and justice after allegedly facing harassment and assault from some villagers. In her complaint submitted to the SP, she accused the police officer of exploiting her vulnerability by assuring her of justice and support.
The woman alleged that the officer repeatedly contacted her, including through late-night video calls, and later took her to different locations, including a hotel in Nayagarh town and a rented house in Baunsia, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
She further claimed that the officer kept her silent by promising police assistance and permanent rehabilitation in the village. When she later threatened to disclose the matter publicly, he allegedly seized and damaged her mobile phone and deleted recordings and photographs stored on it.
The complainant also alleged that after returning from leave, the officer forcibly took her inside the police station, subjected her to third-degree torture and implicated her in a false case, resulting in her being sent to jail. She demanded examination of the officer’s mobile phone and verification of CCTV footage from the police station, claiming it would reveal the truth.
The allegations have triggered widespread discussion in the area. On Thursday, when the woman visited the SP’s office to pursue her complaint, the accused officer also reportedly reached the premises. His wife later attempted to meet the complainant.
SP Patra said the complaint has been taken seriously and that a senior officer has been directed to conduct a detailed inquiry. “We have received the complaint. The complainant was previously facing court proceedings in another case. She was in jail and was released recently on bail. The investigation into the current allegations has been assigned to a DSP rank officer of the Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW&CW). A decision will be taken based on the report,” he said.
Attempts to obtain Das’s response were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off.
Police said further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.