Odisha Police Sub-Inspector suspended for failing to file chargesheet in NDPS Case in Bhubaneswar

In a serious case of dereliction of duty, the Commissionerate Police has suspended a Sub-Inspector (SI) of Khandagiri Police Station for allegedly failing to submit a chargesheet within the stipulated time in a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The officer in question, Debiprasad Behura, was in charge of investigating an NDPS case. As per official sources, despite having enough time and evidence, the SI failed to file the chargesheet within the mandatory period as prescribed under law. As a result of this lapse, the accused in the case managed to secure bail, weakening the prosecution’s case.

Taking strong note of the negligence, Twin City Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh ordered the suspension of SI Behura after a departmental inquiry found procedural lapses on his part. The incident has raised concerns over the handling of sensitive cases under the NDPS Act, where timely legal action is critical to ensure justice and prevent accused persons from evading the law.

Meanwhile, no response has been received from SI Behura regarding the disciplinary action taken against him.

What Is NDPS Case?

An NDPS case refers to a legal matter registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which deals with the control and regulation of activities involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. 

This includes the illegal possession, sale, purchase, production, or transport of such substances. The Act imposes stringent punishments, and bail is generally difficult to obtain. In such cases, timely filing of the chargesheet is crucial, as delays can weaken the prosecution's case and allow the accused to secure bail, as seen in the recent case involving the suspended SI from Bhubaneswar.