The Odisha government has suspended senior IPS officer Dayal Gangwar after an inquiry into allegations that he had used constable Soumya Ranjan Swain for domestic work in an unauthorised manner while the constable was working under him. The action was approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi following a probe into the allegations.
Swain, 32, died last month after being attacked by a crowd in the Balianta area. Gangwar was accused of making the constable perform household work illegally while posted under him. The matter came under scrutiny after Swain’s family raised allegations against the senior officer.
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Suspension Ordered After Inquiry
Officials said the Chief Minister approved Gangwar’s suspension after an inquiry found that the constable was being made to do domestic work in an unauthorised manner. The report said Swain’s lynching was not directly connected to Gangwar, but his parents alleged that he was physically and mentally harassed while working under the IPS officer.
Gangwar, a 1998-batch IPS officer, was posted as Officer on Special Duty in the Home Department on May 26. Before that, he had been transferred after allegations of misuse of official position surfaced following Swain’s death on May 7.
An officer of ADG rank was appointed to examine the allegations against Gangwar. The findings of that inquiry led to the suspension order.
Family Alleges Private Work, Pressure
Swain’s father, Dushasan Swain, alleged that Gangwar, who was then ADG Railways, forced his son to do private work unrelated to government duties. He also alleged that the officer pressured him to invest money in land belonging to one of Gangwar’s associates and did not return the amount, increasing stress on the family.
The family further alleged that the IPS officer had deployed more staff at his residence than permitted. Swain’s mother said these allegations should also be included within the scope of the lynching investigation.
The case has brought attention to allegations of misuse of subordinate police personnel by senior officers and the need for accountability in such matters.
Lynching Case Under Separate Probe
Swain was killed in the Kantak area of Maujpur, about 16 kilometres from his home, while riding pillion on a motorcycle. The incident took place after the motorcycle reportedly collided with a scooter.
Two women on the scooter accused Swain of attempting to snatch a gold chain. After this, a crowd of around 40 to 50 people allegedly attacked Swain and his friend Om Prakash Rout with a sharp weapon. Rout escaped with minor injuries, but Swain was beaten so severely that he died.
Swain’s family has also accused Odisha Police of failing to stop the attack. Four junior police officers have been suspended in connection with the matter.
