The Odisha Police have officially stated that they have not received any formal complaint regarding allegations of harassment involving a senior officer. This clarification comes amid a social media storm claiming that a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was mentally harassed by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
Social Media Post Sparks Controversy
The controversy originated from a post on social media platforms. The post alleged that DSP Saroj Mahanta had applied for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) due to mental harassment by DIG of Crime Branch, B Gangadhar. It was further claimed that Mahanta, who is investigating the sensitive Odisha Teachers’ Eligibility Test (OTET) question paper leak case, was being pressured to shield certain suspects.
Following the viral post, a social activist filed a complaint with the chief minister’s grievance cell, demanding an inquiry into the matter. However, the police administration has clarified that no direct complaint has been lodged by the DSP himself or through official channels.
Official Denials and Clarifications
In an official statement, the police denied the receipt of any complaint. "We have not received any complaint, neither from the DSP nor from anyone else," a senior officer told the media.
DSP Saroj Mahanta directly addressed the rumours, denying any harassment. He explained that his decision to seek VRS was driven by personal reasons and was unrelated to work pressure or any investigation. "I have applied for VRS to address personal issues. It is not related to work pressure. I have no idea who circulated the social media post about my retirement," Mahanta stated.
On the other hand, DIG B Gangadhar firmly rejected all allegations, labelling them as baseless. He suggested the incident was a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation. "This appears to be a conspiracy to drag me into a controversy. I have never harassed anyone," Gangadhar asserted. He also clarified that his ongoing four-week mid-career training programme was approved well in advance and should not be linked to the controversy.
Training Amidst Controversy
Questions were raised about DIG Gangadhar attending a training programme while the allegations were circulating. Responding to this, the police headquarters emphasized that such training is a routine part of an officer's professional development. "Officers attend mid-career training as part of routine professional development. This should not be misrepresented," the clarification noted, aiming to separate the scheduled training from the unfounded allegations.
The situation highlights how unverified claims on social media can spark public debates involving law enforcement. With both officers directly involved denying the core allegation and the police confirming no formal complaint exists, the matter currently rests on clarifications from the officials concerned. The activist's complaint to the CM's cell remains a separate appeal for an external probe.
