Woman home guard alleges intimidation, bribery to drop case against police officer in Odisha
In a shocking revelation, a female home guard from Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha on Thursday accused a senior police officer of fraud, intimidation, and coercion. (Image:DC)
Bhubaneswar: In a shocking revelation, a female home guard from Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha on Thursday accused a senior police officer of fraud, intimidation, and coercion.
She claimed that the officer, identified as Tapan Nahak, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Jagatsinghpur police station, engaged in a physical relationship with her under the pretext of marriage and later threatened her to withdraw a complaint filed against him.
According to her statement, Nahak allegedly maintained a relationship with her while serving as Additional IIC of Kujanga police station, promising marriage but failing to keep his word. Feeling deceived, she lodged a first information report (FIR) accusing him of fraudulent behaviour. Following this, she claims she was pressured to drop the case and warned against speaking to the media.
The situation escalated when she was allegedly offered a bribe to remain silent. According to her account, a constable summoned her to the Jagatsinghpur stadium on Saturday last week, reportedly on the orders of an Additional Superintendent of Police. During the meeting, she was allegedly offered Rs 25-27 lakh to settle the matter and warned of losing her job if she disclosed the discussion.
“He said that Tapan Sir would pay me between Rs 25 to 27 lakh to withdraw the case and threatened me with serious consequences if I refused,” she stated.
The home guard also alleged that she mentioned specific names in her complaint but claimed no action had been taken against them. She further accused two unidentified men of visiting her house and threatening her parents, urging them to persuade her to drop the case or face dire consequences.
Amid the controversy, IIC Tapan Nahak was on Wednesday suspended and later arrested. However, Jagatsinghpur SP Bhabani Sankar Udgata dismissed the allegations of influencing and attempting to bribe the lady home guard.
“The claims about being summoned to the stadium and threats to her life are false,” he stated.
The case has sparked widespread concern about the safety and rights of women in law enforcement, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.
