Odisha Governor's Office Launches Probe After IRS Officers Allegedly Forcibly Evicted
In a startling incident that has sent shockwaves through administrative circles, two Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers were allegedly evicted from Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the Odisha governor, and forcibly taken to the Capital police station in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. The officers were part of a delegation on a scheduled courtesy visit to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
Complaint Details Disturbing Sequence of Events
The alleged high-handedness was detailed in a strongly-worded written complaint submitted by D Sudhakara Rao, the principal chief commissioner of Income Tax for Odisha, to the governor's secretary. According to the complaint, Rao, along with his wife and three other officials, were permitted to meet the governor. However, IRS officers Manish Kumar (2015 batch) and Satya Prakash Mishra (2023 batch) were instructed to wait in a hall.
Rao's letter states that, "at the behest of the ADC (police), the two officers were forcibly removed from the Lok Bhavan premises in a police vehicle and taken to the Capital police station." He expressed deep distress, emphasizing that these officers were on official duty and acting under his direct instructions, yet were treated as unauthorized entrants.
False Allegations and Immediate Backlash
Compounding the situation, one of the officers was falsely accused of being in an inebriated condition. This allegation was later proven baseless at the police station. Rao condemned this as "an affront to the dignity of their office" and urged a thorough examination of the conduct of the security staff and the ADC (police) to prevent any recurrence.
The incident has triggered significant backlash, prompting Lok Bhavan to order an immediate probe. A source from the governor's office confirmed that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness, stating, "An inquiry has already been initiated."
Dual Investigations Underway
In response to the controversy, the commissionerate police have also launched a separate investigation. A senior police officer acknowledged the misunderstanding, noting, "There was a serious misunderstanding. Someone at Lok Bhavan alleged that one of the IRS officers was drunk. But it was found to be untrue."
The dual probes aim to uncover the full details of the incident, assess the actions of the involved personnel, and ensure accountability. This event highlights potential lapses in protocol and security procedures at high-level government offices, raising concerns about the treatment of officials on duty.
As investigations proceed, the focus remains on restoring procedural integrity and preventing such incidents in the future, safeguarding the dignity and authority of civil service officers in Odisha.
