The Jagatsinghpur police on Wednesday arrested suspended Sub-Inspector Amit Padhi, who had been absconding for four months in a case involving the marriage of a minor girl and alleged domestic abuse.
A special four-member police team nabbed Padhi from outside Odisha. He will be brought to Jagatsinghpur later today, officials confirmed.
Padhi, a native of Balasore, was serving as a Sub-Inspector in Puri when the incident surfaced. Investigations revealed that he came into contact with the minor girl through social media, married her, and later subjected her to severe physical and mental harassment, eventually driving her out of his house.
Following the allegations, the Puri SP suspended Padhi, but he remained on the run until his arrest. Police said he will be produced in court after due formalities, and further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, the case drew further outrage after a viral audio clip allegedly captured the investigating officer (IO) Dilip Kandi threatening the victim’s mother instead of arresting the accused. Though the audio suggested intimidation, Kandi denied making such remarks.
The arrest has reignited demands for strict action and justice in the case.