On Tuesday (30th July), the Odisha government suspended an Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer named Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao on charges of ‘grave misconduct.’
Uttamrao served as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in the Department of Fire Services & Home Guards in Odisha.
The disciplinary action comes three days after he assaulted the husband of a woman, with whom he had an alleged extra-marital affair. The incident took place on Saturday (27th July).
Odisha government suspends IPS officer Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao on the grounds of 'grave misconduct' pic.twitter.com/yXIexqeWTv
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024
As per reports, the IPS officer forcibly entered the house of the woman in an intoxicated state, vandalised the furniture and attempted to drag her out to marry her.
He also assaulted the husband of the woman. Interestingly, the woman is a police Inspector in the Bhubaneswar Economic Offences Wing and has had an affair with Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao for 5 years.
The IPS officer is also married and has two children. He was taken into custody when cops were informed about the matter.
Action against Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao
Following the incident, the Odisha government directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to submit a confidential report on the matter.
The government thereafter suspended Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao with immediate effect for ‘grave misconduct’ as a member of IPS. He has been directed to not leave Cuttack without the permission of the DGP.
During the period of suspension, Uttamrao will be allowed to draw subsistence allowance after he furnishes a certificate proving his non-engagement in any other employment, business, profession or vocation.