Odisha Custodial Death Row: IPS Officer Transferred, Three Policemen Suspended
In a broader administrative reshuffle, all personnel posted at Kabisuryanagar Police Station and the Balichhai Outpost were transferred: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police on Sunday initiated disciplinary action against several personnel in connection with the alleged custodial assault and death of a differently-abled man in Ganjam district, amid mounting public outrage over the incident.
Southern Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Niti Shekhar ordered the transfer of IPS officer Nitesh Mishra, who had been serving as the officer in charge of Kabisuryanagar Police Station on provisional duty. Mishra has been shifted to the Ganjam district police headquarters pending further inquiry.
Three police personnel—Sub-Inspector Sameer Kumar Rout, Assistant Sub-Inspector Baikuntha Jena and constable Suman Sahu of Balichhai Outpost—have been placed under suspension. Police driver Krushna Chandra Pradhan has also been relieved from duty.
In a broader administrative reshuffle, all personnel posted at Kabisuryanagar Police Station and the Balichhai Outpost were transferred.
The action follows allegations that 32-year-old Sushant Sahu, a differently-abled resident of Subulia village in Ganjam district, died after being subjected to custodial assault.
According to the family, Sushant was detained by police on May 25 in connection with an investigation into a stone-blasting case and was taken to Kabisuryanagar Police Station for questioning.
His wife and other family members alleged that he was severely beaten while in police custody. They claimed that Sushant was later handed over to the family in a critical condition.
He was initially admitted to a hospital in Aska before being shifted to a healthcare facility in Berhampur as his condition deteriorated. However, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The family alleged that the injuries sustained during police custody directly led to his death and has demanded strict action against those responsible.
The incident has triggered widespread concern over allegations of custodial violence and has drawn attention from civil society groups and local residents. The disciplinary measures announced by the police administration are being viewed as an initial response pending the outcome of a detailed investigation.
Police authorities have not publicly disclosed the findings of any inquiry so far. It remains unclear whether a separate criminal case has been registered against the personnel accused by the family.