Odisha police suspended Sub-Inspector Kartik Jena from Bhadrak Rural Police Station for directing a civilian to impersonate a police officer and investigate a case.
The incident occurred in Rasikabaga village, Kalei panchayat, where the impersonator, Piyush Ranjan Panda, posed as an Inspecting Officer.
Locals grew suspicious when Piyush arrived on a motorcycle instead of an official vehicle and began questioning residents about a case involving a woman. His inconsistent answers led villagers to detain him and alert the police. Authorities arrested Piyush and registered a case under impersonation charges. He will be produced in court today.
Reports revealed that Piyush, a resident of Dhusuri in Dhamnagar block, had been assisting SI Jena with computer tasks and other unofficial duties. On the day of the incident, Jena assigned him to visit the village in his place. Investigators confirmed that Piyush acted as a middleman and had no official ties to the police department.
Bhadrak ASP Arup Abhisekh Behera stated that the investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the breach. SP Manoj Raut ordered Jena’s suspension for dereliction of duty and misuse of authority.
The Odisha police department emphasized its commitment to accountability and warned against unauthorized delegation of official responsibilities. The case has sparked concern over internal oversight and the need for stricter protocols.
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