In the wake of widespread condemnation over alleged police inaction in the brutal rape and murder of a minor girl in Jhadpimpal village under the Jaleswar police station limits, Baleshwar Superintendent of Police (SP) Pratyush Diwakar has initiated swift and strict disciplinary action.
According to reports, the family of the victim had initially caught the accused, identified as Chandrakant Jena, and handed him over to the local police. However, instead of taking immediate legal action, the police allegedly let him go. The situation escalated dramatically when the minor’s lifeless body was recovered later, triggering massive public outrage across the region.
The severe lapse in duty drew sharp criticism from prominent leaders, including MP Pratap Sarangi and BJP leader Sipra Bajpayee, alongside intense backlash on social media. Taking cognisance of the public anger and the gravity of the situation on the ground, SP Pratyush Diwakar suspended Nampo outpost officer Karan Marandi and transferred Jaleswar police station IIC Ashok Barik to the police headquarters.
Meanwhile, Mukunda Murari Patra has been appointed as the new Inspector-in-Charge of Jaleswar police station. The prime accused, Chandrakant Jena, has now been formally booked in a case registered at Jaleswar police station and forwarded to court. SP Pratyush Diwakar personally visited the crime scene to oversee the ongoing investigation as police tighten the grip on the high-profile case.
