In a major crackdown on the misuse of power, the Odisha government has suspended senior IPS officer Dayal Gangwar for allegedly deploying eight Government Railway Police (GRP) constables to perform personal household chores at his residence — even after he was shifted out of his key posting.
The action follows a confidential report submitted by Police DGP to the Home Department, based on a detailed Crime Branch investigation. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took swift cognisance of the findings and ordered immediate disciplinary proceedings.
According to the report, after being removed from the Additional Director General of Police (ADG) post for Railway and Coastal Security, Gangwar continued to keep eight GRP constables — including Constable Soumya — engaged in unauthorised domestic work without any official sanction. The move has been described as a clear violation of service rules.
The government has invoked relevant provisions of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and suspended Gangwar with immediate effect under Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. During the suspension period, he must remain at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack and cannot leave without the DGP’s permission. He will receive a subsistence allowance but has to submit a certificate confirming he is not engaged in any other employment or business.
Link to Constable Soumya’s death
The case has gained added seriousness because one of the constables allegedly forced into personal work was Soumya, who tragically died on May 7 during violence in Balasore. Soumya’s family had earlier accused Gangwar of mental harassment and subjecting him to extremely inhumane personal tasks.
The Crime Branch investigation found clear evidence that Soumya and other constables were indeed deployed for such unauthorised personal duties.
The incident has sparked fresh debate on the exploitation of junior police personnel by senior officers and the need for stricter accountability in the force.
