Odisha Police Inspector suspended over ‘illegal detention and misconduct’ in Cuttack's Tangi

Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Tangi Police Station in Odisha's Cuttack, Siba Prasad Bhadra, has been suspended from service on Saturday following an order from the Director General of Police (DGP). The action was taken on the basis of allegations that a person was kept in unlawful custody for two days during an investigation. The person had to be admitted to the hospital due to mental stress.

As per reports, the incident involves Krupasindhu Pradhan, a resident of Nandua village under Salagaon panchayat in Odisha's Cuttack. According to reports, Tangi Police had allegedly picked him from his home on October 21 in connection with a land dispute case. 

He was allegedly kept at the police station for two days, after which his health condition deteriorated. Pradhan was initially taken to the Tangi Primary Health Centre and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where he is undergoing treatment.

Family Allegations

Family members have alleged that Pradhan’s condition worsened due to physical assault while he was in custody. 

His brother stated, “He was physically assaulted while in police custody. We took him to Tangi PHC and then shifted him to SCBMCH in Cuttack. Two individuals, Bidhyadhar Behera and Ajay Jena, forced my brother to transfer the ownership of his land to them. The land belongs to my brother, but they threatened him to change the ownership. We seek appropriate action in this matter.”

Pending Official Response

While the suspension order has been issued, an official response from the police regarding the specific allegations could not be obtained.